UPDATE: On April 2, 2024, the Beltrami County Attorney's Office dropped the felony sexual assault charge referenced in this story, citing exculpatory information and a lack of evidence in the ensuing investigation.
BEMIDJI — The 22-year-old Texas man accused in the rape of an 11-year-old Bemidji girl appeared Friday, Oct. 13, in Beltrami County District Court.
Oscar Ernesto Luna of Mission, Texas, is facing a first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge, a serious felony carrying a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.
During the hearing Friday, Luna's defense attorneys requested a continuance, noting they had not received several reports of discovery related to this case.
Luna remains in the Beltrami County Jail on an unconditional $800,000 bond. He will make his next court appearance on Dec. 4.
The 11-year-old victim in this case reported to authorities that she was violently raped by a man with facial tattoos and an eyebrow piercing that went by the name Panda and three other men. The victim stated she was among a group of three female victims.
Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin stated in the department's most recent update on the case that officers located an adult female mentioned by the victim, but the woman said she was not assaulted.
During the execution of the warrant at 1821 America Court NW, law enforcement reporting finding several other people living in the home. The United States Border Patrol was reportedly called in to assist with a language barrier.
The Border Patrol confirmed to KAXE that 10 unnamed people ranging in ages from 18 to 57 were taken into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Mexico and Guatemala were the countries of origin for the individuals, according to authorities.
Mastin has said the others found in the home are not suspects at this time. No other arrests have been made and police have not provided an update on the case since Oct. 4.
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Contributed/Minnesota Incident Command SystemCool temperatures and cloudy, weather have assisted firefighting efforts, with chances of rain Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. A portion of the Superior Hiking Trail remains closed. -
With its defeat of Northern State University in its homecoming game on Oct. 4, 2025, the Bemidji State football team celebrated its homecoming win by jumping into the lake — a 30-year-old Beaver tradition. -
Plus: First year of free tuition program in Minnesota exceeds enrollment expectations; and a large apartment complex is in the works in housing-starved Brainerd.
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Plus: Bemidji area residents comment in the second and final hearing in the administrative trial for the boundary dispute between Bemidji and Northern Township.
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Contributed/Bemidji Public LibraryThe KAXE news team has been covering cuts to libraries in our region. This week, we have been gathering stories about what libraries mean to you. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEWithout the funding, residents’ water bills could increase from about $40 a month to nearly $70. The projected costs for the new facility have risen substantially. -
Lorie Shaull/Special to KAXEThe lawsuit states Robert Slaybaugh was placed in a cell with a sheet and a bunk previously ID'd as a suicide hazard, despite an “overwhelming combination of risk factors.” -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe second and final public comment evening for the boundary dispute trial heard a broad mix of comments from affected residents along Lake Bemidji. -
Contributed/Lorie ShaullDuring the Phenology Report for the week of Oct. 7, Staff Phenologist John Latimer covers the next month in nature, development of fall colors, and migratory dragonflies. -
Events this week include a story slam in Bemidji, an Indigenous People's Day event in Brainerd and a fundraiser for a dog park in Deer River.
