FARGO - A 28-year-old Fargo man is accused of sexually assaulting a female acquaintance, punching a man who was helping her and threatening to kill both of them with a knife.
Dustin Louis Vaughn made his first court appearance Thursday on felony charges of gross sexual imposition and terrorizing, as well as misdemeanor charges of simple assault and criminal mischief for allegedly slashing the woman's tires.
Police responded at 3:11 p.m. Tuesday to the Loaf 'N Jug store at 1833 S. University Drive for a report of a man threatening a woman with a knife. Vaughn left in his vehicle before police arrived but was later located and stopped by an officer, the police report says.
The male victim told police he was helping the woman get property out of her apartment at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday when Vaughn arrived and started punching him. The man was able to separate from Vaughn and leave.
The woman reported that after the man left, Vaughn attacked her and shoved her to the ground. Vaughn allegedly ripped off her jeans, pulled down her underwear and sexually assaulted her, the report says.
ADVERTISEMENT
The woman told police she got away from Vaughn and went to Taco Bell, where she put on new clothes. As she and the male victim were walking north on South University Drive under the Interstate 94 bridge, Vaughn allegedly approached them with a knife and threatened to kill them.
Vaughn faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison if convicted of the Class AA felony GSI charge.
