Charges: St. Paul Man Beat, Raped Hearing-Impaired Woman

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 53-year-old St. Paul man faces serious charges in connection to the beating and rape of a hearing-impaired woman Friday, according to the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.

Michael Darnell Burns was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, third-degree criminal sexual conduct, terroristic threats and domestic assault by strangulation – all felonies – in connection to the March 28 incident.

According to the criminal complaint, a security guard at The Redeemer's Arms Apartments on 313 Dale St. N. in St. Paul called 911 after a hearing-impaired woman accused Burns of assaulting her in his apartment.

The victim told police that she was visiting Burns when he got upset and physically assaulted her. After assaulting her, Burns allegedly raped her. The victim also said that Burns choked her three different times, causing her to pass out.

Witnesses at the apartment reported hearing loud noises coming from Burns' apartment at around 1:45 a.m. When the neighbor opened his door to check the common hallway, he saw a completely naked woman run from Burns' apartment, waving her arms. The neighbor retrieved a blanket and covered her up.

Authorities say Burns, in a Mirandized statement, said that the victim had been staying continuously with him for three or four days before the incident and that they had sex several times over that time. He said the victim had been drinking and getting too loud, eventually leading him grab her by her arms and throw her naked into the common hall. He denied punching or raping the victim.

In 1996, Burns was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and continues to have to register as a sex offender.

If convicted, Burns could face more than 30 years in prison.