One man has been taken into custody and 11 others are in U.S. Border Patrol custody following allegations of a gang rape involving young girls in Bemidji, Minnesota. The incident occurred in a house in the city, which has a population of approximately 15,000 people.
According to a police statement, an 11-year-old girl, identified as V.K., reported that she and two other girls were tied up and raped by at least four men. The girl managed to escape and was taken to Bemidji Sanford Hospital on September 23. Hospital staff notified law enforcement, leading to an investigation.
V.K. stated that she was accompanied by 24-year-old Verna Fairbanks, who was allegedly intoxicated and wanted to attend a party. Fairbanks arranged transportation for both of them in separate vehicles. However, upon reaching their destination, Fairbanks forced V.K. to consume alcohol and then tied her up with two other girls. V.K. identified “four Mexican men,” one of whom went by the name “Panda,” as the perpetrators.
Medical examinations revealed numerous abrasions on V.K.’s body, including marks consistent with being tied up. The victim reported that the men sexually assaulted her without using protection, resulting in bleeding and significant pain.
After escaping, V.K. disclosed that Fairbanks was her “auntie” and that she had initially been blindfolded when entering the car. Another girl who had been tied up with V.K. was found unconscious in a closet.
During a search warrant execution, police encountered Oscar Luna, who matched the description of the individual known as Panda. Luna claimed to be a U.S. citizen, but the other 11 individuals in the house were processed as illegal immigrants. Whether these individuals are suspects, victims, or unrelated to the rape case remains unclear.
Law enforcement authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.
