Rochester Sex Assault Suspect Skips Trial – Arrest Warrant Issued

Update: He has been taken into custody 

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - An arrest warrant has been issued for a Rochester man who skipped his trial in a sexual assault case.

Olmsted County Judge Issues Arrest Warrant

Olmsted County court records indicate 42-year-old Ahmed Barow was scheduled to stand trial this week on a second-degree criminal sexual conduct charge. He was released without bail following his arraignment in the case in September 2023.

Police Say Girl Was Chased at Apartment Complex

According to the criminal complaint, Rochester police responded to the Meadow Park Apartment complex in southeast Rochester on June 3, 2023, after receiving a report that a man was chasing an 11-year-old girl and sexually touching her. The court document says the officers found the child visibly upset and crying.

Accosted by Stranger

She told officers that she was walking from her apartment to the laundry room when she encountered a strange man who groped her chest over her clothing. The criminal complaint says the girl stated that she ran away and then attempted to hide in the laundry room before going outside and using another staircase to return to her family's residence in the apartment complex.

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Identified by Young Victim

Based on a description provided by the girl and information from other witnesses, the responding officers reported finding Barow in a second-floor apartment unit. The criminal complaint says the victim then viewed Barow from her apartment window and identified him as her attacker.

Denies Allegation

When interviewed by police, Barow told them he had just returned to the apartment complex and stated, "I didn't do anything."

The warrant for his arrest calls for him to be held without bail once he is taken into custody.

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