A Minneapolis man is behind bars after Ramsey County prosecutors charged him in connection with a series of alleged sexual assaults in apartment buildings in St. Paul and Maplewood, according to court filings. Eduart Gomez Ochoa, 25, was taken into custody following what police described as a foot chase on St. Paul’s East Side and is being held while the case moves forward.
Prosecutors have filed a complaint that includes counts of first-degree burglary, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, third-degree assault, attempted second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and a gross misdemeanor count of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to Pioneer Press. The complaint describes three alleged incidents this month, including a reported May 7 break-in at a St. Paul apartment where investigators say fingerprints and DNA linked Gomez Ochoa to the scene, and two separate incidents on May 12 and May 15 in Maplewood that involved reported groping, biting, and other injuries. Police say surveillance video from the Maplewood cases shows a man in a red jacket wearing the same black-and-white tennis shoes.
Court records show multiple entries
Public court calendars list several entries under the name Eduart Gomez-Ochoa that reflect both past and current district court matters, according to the Minnesota courts calendar. Prosecutors and the criminal complaint also note a January conviction in Anoka County for threatening to kill his mother, and court records show Gomez-Ochoa received a sentence of time already served in that case. Those calendar listings and filings are part of the public record.
What investigators say
The criminal complaint, as summarized in reporting, outlines a pattern that investigators say ties the incidents together. They point to similar clothing and shoes seen on surveillance footage, overlapping timelines, and what they describe as forensic matches from evidence collected in the St. Paul apartment. The complaint also details statements attributed to the suspect that include both denials and partial admissions, which prosecutors say do not line up with what the victims reported. Investigators say they are still tracking down additional witnesses and are asking anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
Arrest and next steps
According to the complaint, officers arrested Gomez Ochoa on May 17 after he ran from police on St. Paul’s East Side. He is being held on $100,000 bail, with a court hearing set for June 9, 2026. Prosecutors have filed the case in Ramsey County, and if he is convicted on the most serious charges, he would face felony penalties that could include a lengthy prison term. The upcoming hearing is expected to serve as an omnibus appearance, where prosecutors will begin to lay out the evidence on the record, and defense attorneys will have a formal opportunity to respond.
What residents should know
Officials in Maplewood and St. Paul are encouraging residents to stay alert, report suspicious activity, and share any relevant security video or tips with their local police departments. Survivors of sexual assault can seek help through area victim-services agencies and Ramsey County programs that provide support with reporting, safety planning, and recovery. Because the case is ongoing and the charges are still allegations, Gomez Ochoa is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
