On November 20, 2025, at 3:00 PM, law enforcement received a call from Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) C. R. At Mercy Hospital. C. R. Reported that she had a patient in the room with her who reported that she was sexually assaulted by KAINUE ERASMUS YARWEH, [DOB REDACTED], "the defendant" herein, earlier that morning. The patient was T. J. K. Law enforcement spoke with T. J. K. By phone. She reported that she and the defendant are roommates. They are not in a romantic relationship. T. J. K. Disclosed that she had relapsed on fentanyl on November 19, 2025. She further disclosed that she had also took Seroquel between 11:00 PM and midnight that day.
T. J. K. Then fell asleep at her residence in Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota. She awoke between 4:30 AM and 6:00 AM to the defendant on top of her. The defendant's penis was inside her vagina. T. J. K. Grabbed the defendant's face and scratched him to try to get him off of her. The defendant applied more pressure into her body. He also put his hands around her neck and applied pressure. T. J. K. Reported that she could not breathe. The defendant stated. "That's what you get for not f****** me for the past seven months," and "I'm going to make sure to finish." T. J. K. Repeatedly told him to get off of her.
The defendant ignored her and continued to penetrate her. He stopped after he ejaculated inside of her body. T. J. K. Never consented to sexual intercourse. T. J. K. Reported that after the assault, the defendant followed her around the residence and threatened to kill her. He warned her that it was going to be worse next time. She was able to leave the residence. She first went to friend's house and then the hospital. Law enforcement went to the hospital and met T. J. K. In person. She reiterated the statement she gave previously.
She further stated that she has known the defendant since 2022. The defendant would often give her money for drugs in exchange for sex. When she got sober, she moved out, but moved back in June 2025. She explained that she did not have anywhere else to live. They had not had a sexual relationship since she moved back. The defendant had asked her for sex, but she always declined. T. J. K. Explained that the defendant had provided her the money she used to buy the drugs to relapse the previous day.
Law enforcement observed bruising and redness on T. J. K.'s arms and legs. They also observed scratches on her neck, arms, and legs. Law enforcement made contact with the defendant at the residence. In a Mirandized statement, the defendant stated that he saw T. J. K. Asleep and naked on the couch. He shook her legs to wake her up. While doing so, he touched her vagina. He claimed that T. J. K. Woke up and stated he raped her. She then forced him to have sex with her in order to get his DNA. The defendant claimed T. J. K. Stated that he was going to use his DNA against him.
