The fourth man charged in an Oct. 8 University-area rape and burglary incident turned himself in to police late Monday evening and appeared before a Hennepin County District judge Tuesday morning.
Giezwa Andersen, 19, requested a continuance so his family could hire a private attorney. He must return to court Oct. 22.
He is being held in lieu of $40,000 bail for charges of his involvement in the rape and burglary incident.
On the night of Oct. 8, three University students were awakened when several men broke into their apartment. Two of the women were raped, and some of their property was stolen, including stereo equipment and a car.
Giezwa Andersen is charged with aiding the offenders and receiving stolen property. If found guilty of both charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison or fines up to $37,500, or both.
Antonio D. Burton, 20, is the only man charged with committing the rapes. According to the Hennepin County complaint, Burton returned to his St. Paul apartment Oct. 9 where he watched the evening news.
A witness told police that when the University rape and burglary was reported, Burton began jumping around the room and said, “I made the headlines. Look, I’m on the news. That’s me they’re talking about.”
Burton and Puiassance J. Andersen, 20, were arrested in Eau Claire, Wis., Oct. 9, after a high-speed car chase in which the stolen car Burton was driving crashed into a semi-tractor. Police linked the stolen car and property to the Minneapolis break-in.
Burton and Puiassance Andersen remained in custody Tuesday at Eau Claire County Jail on $25,000 bond. At press time, neither man had been extradited to Hennepin County.
“Minnesota cannot extradite the men until Wisconsin’s charges have been resolved,” said Raymond Pelrine, Eau Claire County district attorney.
The Wisconsin charges against Burton and Puiassance Andersen include eluding police, obstructing an officer, possession of stolen property, auto theft and carrying a concealed weapon.
Burton and Andersen appeared in Eau Claire County Circuit Court Tuesday, where they waived their time-limit rights to a preliminary hearing.
According to Wisconsin court proceedings, a preliminary hearing is held to determine if there is enough evidence to go to trial. Afterward, there is an information hearing where evidence is disclosed.
The final man charged in the incident, Victor M. Porter, 20, also had his first appearance in Hennepin County District Court Tuesday morning.
Police arrested Porter during an Oct. 11 search of Burton’s apartment. Porter was charged Monday on two counts of burglary and one count of receiving stolen goods. Porter remains in Hennepin County Jail in lieu of $35,000 bail. He will appear again Nov. 8 for a pre-trial hearing.
Porter could receive a maximum of 50 years and/or $80,000 in fines if found guilty of all three charges.
Anne Taylor, the assistant district attorney for Hennepin County, said the charges against Porter and Giezwa Andersen will “go forward on their own schedule,” without awaiting the extradition of Burton and Puiassance Andersen.
When returned to Minnesota, Burton faces five felony counts of sexual misconduct. Puiassance Andersen is charged with knowledge of and assistance with the crimes. Both men face three felony counts of robbery and two felony counts of burglary.