Hennepin County officials on Wednesday filed four felony charges against a Minneapolis man for the attempted kidnapping of an 18-year-old female University student Nov. 3.
Joseph Leon Holman, 37, is being charged with first-degree felony burglary, kidnapping, third-degree felony attempted sexual assault and failure to register as a sex offender, according to the criminal complaint.
The court document states that the victim was riding her bike at approximately 6 p.m. in the area of University Avenue Southeast and 10th Avenue Southeast when she was allegedly approached by Holman.
During a conversation, Holman told the victim about a movie and book she could borrow from him, court papers state. The victim initially refused but later followed Holman to a room at 1019 University Ave. S.E.
The victim stated that Holman locked the door to the room and told her to disrobe. The victim refused and began to loudly plead to leave, the court complaint states.
Holman told the victim he would make her drink a bottle of furniture polish that was in the room if she didn’t undress.
The complaint states that Holman blocked the victim from leaving and began to masturbate.
Another man who lived in the building eventually intervened after hearing the victim yelling, allowing the victim to run from the room and call police.
Ron Reier, a Minneapolis police spokesman, said the University is still a safe place.
“The public needs to be conscious and aware of their surroundings,” Reier said. “And our old ‘Minnesota nice’ is not often the case. This victim here was very lucky.”
Police have always told students to walk with someone on campus and to not go anywhere with strangers, Reier said.
“This is another example of why we preach these things and another example of why people should not go anywhere with someone they don’t know,” he said.
Holman will make his initial appearance in court Friday, according to a Hennepin County official.
Holman is being held in the Hennepin County Jail on $300,000 bail.
There were 19 forcible sex offenses reported in 2003, according to the University police Web site.
