Rochester Man Charged In Sexual Assault After Woman Runs to Neighbor
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A woman told Rochester police she was beaten, sexually assaulted and dragged by the hair outside her home during a violent overnight encounter with her former boyfriend.
The attack was reported the morning of Monday, March 9 at a home in northwest Rochester.
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Gregory Miles Jones, 42, of Rochester, is now charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, third-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, false imprisonment, threats of violence and misdemeanor domestic assault.
According to court records, Rochester police were called to the residence around 8:44 a.m. after the woman reported she had been physically and sexually assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. She told officers the couple had broken up in early February following a prior assault.
The woman said Jones came to her home around 1:30 a.m. uninvited. When she opened the door he entered the house and began drinking alcohol while the two watched television. When she later went to bed, she said Jones followed her without being invited.
Investigators say Jones became aggressive, called her names and demanded that she perform oral sex. The woman told police he forced her to perform the act despite her repeatedly telling him no and attempting to go to sleep.
The complaint states Jones then forced the woman onto her back and sexually assaulted her while punching her in the head, arms, legs and chest when she cried out, resisted or tried to leave. The woman told investigators the assault lasted for several hours and that she believed Jones would kill her if she did not comply.
Authorities say Jones repeatedly grabbed the woman by the shoulders and arms to keep her from leaving the room.
At one point the woman convinced Jones she needed to use the bathroom. She told police he followed her there and watched her before she attempted to walk back toward the bedroom. Instead she ran toward the stairs and fled the home.
Investigators say the woman was partially unclothed when she escaped.
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Court records state Jones ran after her outside while naked and yelled that he would kill her if she did not return to bed. Police say he grabbed her by the hair outside and dragged her across the ground before pulling her back into the residence.
The woman later managed to escape again and ran to a nearby neighbor’s home for help.
The neighbor told investigators she heard screaming and someone calling her name before opening her door. She reported seeing Jones naked outside while the woman attempted to get away. The neighbor said she watched Jones grab the woman by the hair and drag her back toward the residence before the victim later returned seeking help.
When officers arrived, they observed visible injuries including bruising, abrasions and missing patches of hair. The woman also reported pain throughout her body and said it hurt to sit down.
Investigators say officers later located a cellphone behind a garage at Jones’ residence that was identified as the victim’s phone.
Police attempted to arrest Jones at his home in northwest Rochester but authorities say he fled inside when officers ordered him to stop. Officers forced entry into the residence and Jones then ran out the back door.
According to the complaint, Jones later contacted officers by phone and told them he was on his way to Maryland.
A warrant was issued for his arrest due to concerns for the victim’s safety and the likelihood that he would not appear in court voluntarily.
If convicted of the most serious charge, he faces up to 30 years in prison.
Gregory Miles Jones is now charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, third-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, false imprisonment, threats of violence and domestic assault.