Convicted Rapist Missing After Skipping Trial in Washington County

Apr 22

A 37-year-old man was convicted Tuesday and is now missing after failing to appear at his trial for a violent sexual assault in Lake Elmo.

A jury found David Powers, of New Auburn, guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping with intent to terrorize and domestic assault by strangulation.

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Powers did not appear for the closing arguments of his trial on Monday, April 21, and was absent again when the verdicts were read on Tuesday. A warrant has since been issued for his arrest.

The jury also unanimously found multiple aggravating factors to support an enhanced sentence, including that Powers used extreme violence, inflicted excessive injury and forced the victim to remain naked for an extended time while repeatedly threatening to kill her.

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According to the criminal complaint, the charges stem from a series of attacks between April 30 and May 2, 2023. Law enforcement responded to a welfare check at an apartment on Hudson Boulevard and saw the victim screaming for help through a window before being pulled out of view. Officers forced entry, detained Powers, and found the victim with significant bruising and injuries.

The woman told investigators she had returned home the morning of May 1 when Powers “snapped,” violently assaulted and strangled her multiple times, holding her against her will. She reported being punched, choked to unconsciousness, sexually assaulted and threatened with death during the prolonged ordeal. She eventually escaped to a window and screamed for help, prompting the police response.

Jurors answered “yes” to every special verdict question, confirming facts that allow prosecutors to seek a longer sentence. Prosecutors had filed notice of their intent to seek an aggravated sentence last May, citing the cruelty of the acts and the invasion of the victim’s privacy.

As of Tuesday night, Powers had not yet been located. His sentencing date hasn’t been scheduled and he faces up to 30 years in prison on the most serious charge.

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