Serial Rapist and Kidnapper Facing Federal Charges

(KNSI) – A 28-year-old man is facing federal charges for allegedly raping at least five women, including a 15-year-old he kidnapped.

U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen says Abdimahat Mohamed kidnapped and sexually assaulted the teen in 2017, and another adult woman earlier this year. In between, prosecutors say he raped at least three other women.

Federal law enforcement began investigating Mohamed on December 3rd and found probable cause to believe he committed the series of disturbing sexual assaults, with many following a similar pattern. Prosecutors say several of them were gang rapes with additional men participating in the attacks. The assaults often happened at gunpoint and involved death threats.

According to the criminal complaint, in each case, Mohamed met victims through social media platforms like Snapchat or Instagram and offered them rides. He would then drive them to different locations against their will. In one case from September 15th, Mohamed kidnapped a woman in Mankato and drove her 70 miles to a Bloomington hotel, where he held her for nearly a week. When she tried to leave, he physically restrained and beat her. She was able to text her sister, telling her what happened and asking for help before Mohamed took her phone. On September 21st, she jumped from his car and asked a bystander to call 911. Police responded and took her to the hospital.

DNA evidence collected from victims in each case matched Mohamed’s DNA profile.

The FBI is investigating Mohamed for additional sexual offenses. Anyone who believes they or someone they know may be a victim should call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Mohamed faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and up to life.

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