A Hibbing man who formerly served time at Mesabi Academy in Buhl was charged Monday with six felonies -- including two counts of attempted first-degree murder -- in connection with a home invasion and rape that allegedly happened June 3.
Brian Donnell Bridges, 20, is being held on $1 million bail.
According to the criminal complaint filed in St. Louis County District Court in Hibbing, Hibbing Police responded to a report of a burglary and rape at a Hibbing residence at 3:16 a.m. Tuesday, where they found the victim alone in her bedroom. She had a red mark on her neck, and was later found to have suffered a broken clavicle.
The victim said she had left her front door unlocked because she expected her boyfriend to return in the morning from work.
The assailant sexually assaulted the victim at least twice and, at one point, choked her until she passed out. The victim fought back, attempting to gouge out her assailant's eyes.
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The assailant also asked for money, although police found a zippered plastic bag of money resting on the foot of the bed and a coffee can and jar of coins on the floor.
The woman said that she believed her attacker was a black man because of the sound of his voice. Bridges is black and fits the rough physical description the victim was able to give.
When police executed a search warrant at the Graysher Wood apartment complex -- close to the attack and where Bridges lives at times with a friend -- they found black latex gloves in the garbage, a latex glove in the bedroom and the same brand of condom used in the attack.
Bridges at first claimed to have been at a graduation party at the time of the attack, a story he changed when people said they hadn't seen him. Bridges also claimed to have spent the night alone in his friend's Graysher Wood apartment.
Bridges served time at Mesabi Academy for a juvenile offense, which occurred out of state, according to the complaint. He also attended Hibbing Community College.
He is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, one count of burglary, and one count of assault. His next court appearance was set for Friday.
