A Minneapolis man allegedly broke into a home while naked from the waist down, used a taser and screwdriver to threaten two women and attempted to sexually assault one of them, according to charges.
Cordero Orlando Ratcliff Jr. faces charges of attempted 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct, 1st-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling and 1st-degree burglary involving assault. The charges were filed Monday in Hennepin County District Court for an incident that occurred Friday, July 31.
According to the complaint, officers responded to a residential home in Minneapolis after a report of an assault. The first victim told police she was sitting on the couch watching television when Ratcliff, naked from the waist down, entered the living room holding a screwdriver. She said Ratcliff approached her, used a taser on her neck, legs and stomach and then put his hands around her neck.
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The first victim reported that Ratcliff pushed her face down onto the couch, pulled her pants down and attempted to sexually assault her. She fought back, yelled for help and tried to hit him with her hands while he continued the assault.
A second victim, who was in her office, told officers she heard the first victim yell, “I won’t touch your penis.” She came out and saw Ratcliff standing in the living room, exposing himself and assaulting the first victim. The second victim said Ratcliff then approached her with the taser and tried to tase her, but she was able to slam the door to prevent him from attacking her.
Officers located and apprehended Ratcliff while he was en route to the residence, based on descriptions provided in the 911 call. Both victims later identified Ratcliff in a show-up procedure.
During an interview with police, Ratcliff admitted he entered the residence without permission and assaulted the first victim. He told officers he had taken the bus to south Minneapolis, did not know anyone at the address and had no connection to the home. Ratcliff stated he walked through the back gate and entered through the back door, then encountered the two women in the living room.
He allegedly admitted, “I tried to rape her,” and confirmed he had a screwdriver and taser, used the taser on the first victim and exposed himself.
About This Charge
Minnesota’s criminal sexual conduct statutes are organized by degree under § 609.342 (first), § 609.343 (second), § 609.344 (third) and § 609.345 (fourth). First-degree convictions carry up to 30 years in prison; the lower degrees carry penalties up to 25, 15 and 10 years respectively. Cases involving minors trigger additional mandatory-minimum provisions and predatory-offender registration under § 243.166.
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Jurisdictional Context
Hennepin County is Minnesota’s most populous jurisdiction. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office handles felony prosecutions across Minneapolis and 45 surrounding cities; the Fourth Judicial District presides over felony arraignments and trials at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.
