Bemidji Man Charged In Park Place Sex Case

Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Cass Lake man is facing a felony criminal sexual conduct charge in Beltrami County District Court.

Ronald Joseph Staples Jr. is charged with fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The case is filed in Minnesota’s 9th Judicial District under court file 04-CR-26-517.

The charge stems from an October 1, 2024, report at Park Place of Bemidji.

Report Made At Park Place

According to the complaint, law enforcement responded to Park Place of Bemidji at 600 3rd Street Northwest.

The call came in at about 6:16 p.m.

A staff member reported that a resident, identified as A.B., had been sexually assaulted.

The complaint says the alleged incident happened during the early morning hours.

The staff member told authorities that other residents helped A.B. back to her room.

The staff member also said the incident was captured on the building’s surveillance system.

According to court records, the staff member identified Staples after viewing the footage.

Complaint Cites Surveillance Video

A.B. told authorities she had been extremely intoxicated the night before.

She said she did not remember the night’s events.

She only remembered waking up in her bed the next morning.

A.B. said she had met Staples before.

She reported that Staples had made unwanted romantic advances in a prior contact.

She denied having a prior sexual relationship with Staples.

Authorities collected clothing as evidence.

A.B. was taken to Sanford Medical Center for a SANE examination.

The complaint says surveillance footage showed A.B. and Staples outside on a patio.

Authorities reported that the footage appeared to show A.B. highly intoxicated.

The complaint says A.B. later stumbled and fell.

Other residents then helped A.B. inside, according to court documents.

Staples Later Located

Later that day, law enforcement located Staples in Bemidji.

Staples allegedly admitted having sexual contact with A.B. the prior night.

He was arrested and taken to the Beltrami County Jail.

The complaint says Staples appeared to be wearing the same clothing seen on video.

Authorities later collected those clothes as evidence.

During a recorded interview, Staples again admitted sexual contact with A.B.

He claimed A.B. offered to have sex.

He also claimed he did not know how intoxicated she was.

Felony Charge Filed

Staples is charged under Minnesota Statute 609.3451.

The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

It also carries a possible $10,000 fine, or both.

The complaint lists prior convictions, including burglary, escape from custody, DWI, and drug charges.

The current charge is only an accusation.

Staples is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

More case information may be available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.