Bemidji Man Faces Sex, Assault Charges

BEMIDJI, Minn. — (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces three charges after a 17-year-old reported abuse.

John Loren Loch, 21, is charged in Beltrami County District Court. The case number is 04-CR-26-1376.

TRF News is not naming the juvenile because she is a minor.

The charges include third-degree criminal sexual conduct and domestic assault by strangulation. Both charges are felonies.

Loch also faces one misdemeanor domestic assault charge.

Charges Filed in Beltrami County

Court records say the reported conduct happened around June 11, 2026.

Prosecutors allege the sexual conduct involved multiple acts and personal injury.

The sexual conduct charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. It also allows a fine of up to $30,000.

The strangulation charge carries up to three years in prison. It also allows a fine of up to $5,000.

The misdemeanor charge carries up to 90 days in jail. It also allows a fine of up to $1,000.

The complaint says police received a property retrieval request on June 13.

A woman told police the juvenile was leaving an abusive relationship. She also reported seeing several bruises.

Police later met the juvenile at a public location. The complaint says she appeared upset and was crying.

An officer reported seeing a large bruise on her forearm. The officer also reported redness around her eyes.

The juvenile said Loch slapped and choked her during a sexual encounter.

She said she could not breathe or speak during the choking. She later escaped by kicking him, according to the complaint.

The complaint also describes a separate parking lot incident. The juvenile said Loch drove a truck toward her during an argument.

She reported jumping between parked vehicles for safety.

Police arrested Loch at his apartment early on June 14.

Later that morning, investigators searched the apartment under a warrant. Court records say they seized several items, including an iPhone.

The complaint says Loch and the juvenile had lived together. Prosecutors claim this created a significant relationship under Minnesota law.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The felony charges cite Minnesota Section 609.344 and Section 609.2247.

A criminal complaint contains allegations, not proof of guilt. Loch is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.