A 32-year-old Bemidji man is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct for allegedly raping two different women in Bemidji.

Erik Lopez is charged with first-degree and third-degree criminal sexual conduct, as well as domestic assault and fifth-degree assault. The victims reported that the assaults took place on August 25, 2021 in Bemidji. In total, Lopez is charged with two felonies, one gross misdemeanor and one misdemeanor. Lopez has a previous assault conviction in the fifth degree from December 2013.

According to the criminal complaint, the first victim stated that she went to the second victim’s home to assist with her infant. She also reports that during the sexual assault, Lopez choked both of them. The first victim alleged that during the incident, Lopez also slapped and punched the second victim in the face.

When speaking to Sergeant Daniel Seaberg of the Bemidji Police Department, the second victim initially denied the sexual assault. However, on January 24, 2022, she retracted these statements. Instead, she said in her new statement that Lopez threatened to physically harm and take away her children her if she reported the rape to law enforcement. Lopez is the father of her infant.

Upon questioning, Lopez told Seaberg that he did engage in sex with both women on August 25, 2021. But Lopez claims the acts were consensual.

The first victim’s medical records shows abrasions, bruises and bleeding on her arms, thighs, abdomen, and near her vagina. During her medical examination at the Sanford Medical Center, the records indicated that she cried.

Lopez appeared in court on Wednesday. No bond or bail has been set yet.

By — Mary Balstad