MINNEAPOLIS — A man is now charged after prosecutors say he attacked and groped a woman inside a Minneapolis City Hall bathroom.
An amended criminal complaint against 34-year-old Jeffery Fossum details the incident and the allegations that led to a felony charge of false imprisonment and gross misdemeanor charge of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
A more serious criminal sexual charge against Fossum was removed, apparently to reflect that the attack including groping but not rape.
Internal emails obtained by KARE 11 confirm that the reporting victim is a city employee who said the attack occurred in a second-floor bathroom. Court documents say the woman told investigators she had entered a stall when she heard someone come in, go into a stall next to her and lock the door. When she exited and was washing her hands, she claimed a man, later identified as Jeffery Fossum, allegedly left the other stall and groped her.
The victim told police when she began screaming Fossum told her to stay quiet, swore at her and blocked her from leaving the bathroom. She was able to push her assailant away, ran from the area and contacted police.
Investigators watched surveillance video and say they saw Fossum in the area where the attack occurred, along with footage of him exiting the building following the alleged assault. At approximately 4 p.m. Fossum was located on the 1700 block of West River Parkway and taken into custody.
The defendant has an extensive criminal history that includes being charged with:
- 5th Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct - 12/18/2023
- Threats of Violence - 1/26/2022
- Damage to Property - 6/11/2020
- Violating an Order for Protection - 3/28/2016
- Violating an Order for Protection - 3/28/2016
- Stalking - 3/28/2016
City spokesman Casper Hill told KARE 11's Lou Raguse that in an effort to increase security at City Hall the Municipal Building Commission (which manages the building) has secured the upper floor hallways, making them available by employee access card only.
"The City of Minneapolis is dedicated to providing safe workplace environments for its staff while being a safe and welcoming place for its residents to visit and receive services," Hill wrote in an email.
In addition, Erin Delaney, director of the Municipal Building Commission wrote: "The MBC security team will continue to be on-site and patrolling the building 24/7. MBC Security will also continue to provide employee escorts to and from vehicles/bus stops."
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