Tristen Leritz, 21, is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 51-year-old woman walking on a popular trail.
Authorities in Minnesota are commending a woman whose quick thinking and courage helped lead to the arrest of the man accused of brutally attacking her on a Vadnais Heights trail.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County, 21-year-old Tristen Leritz has been charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct after allegedly assaulting a 51-year-old woman on Tuesday evening. Prosecutors say Leritz, who stands 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 250 pounds, targeted the woman as she walked along a well-known public trail.
Investigators allege Leritz followed the woman before suddenly tackling her from behind and assaulting her for nearly 20 minutes. During the terrifying ordeal, the woman later told investigators she believed she was going to die. But in a moment of defiance, she fought back—managing to knock Leritz’s glasses off his face and throw them into the grass. Those glasses would later become a critical piece of evidence that led to his capture.
When the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office released details about the found glasses, Leritz’s family reportedly recognized them and contacted authorities. Their call helped detectives identify Leritz as a suspect within days.
“You can’t find a case that shakes a community more than a sexual assault by a stranger,” said Ramsey County Undersheriff Jeff Ramacher, praising both the victim’s strength and the public’s cooperation. “When something like this happens, every resource we have goes into finding justice for the survivor and getting the perpetrator off the streets.”
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) worked quickly to process the DNA evidence from the scene. Within record time, lab results confirmed a match to Leritz. “Every Minnesotan deserves to be safe,” said BCA Superintendent Drew Evans. “When someone commits a violent act like this, our top priority is to identify and remove that person from society so they can’t harm anyone else.”
Leritz was arrested and, according to investigators, later admitted to the assault. Court documents reveal that when questioned, he allegedly stated, “F--- it, since I’m a virgin.”
Leritz remains in custody and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday morning. The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office says prosecutors will seek to keep him detained pending trial, citing the violent nature of the attack and public safety concerns.
The case has sent shockwaves through the Vadnais Heights community, where residents frequently use the trail for exercise and recreation. Officials say the victim’s actions—fighting back, leaving evidence, and cooperating with investigators—played a crucial role in achieving swift justice.
SOURCE: WCCO via CNN Newsource