Walhalla Man Arrested on Multiple Charges

 

A Walhalla man has been arrested on multiple charges following an incident in October.

According to court documents, Pembina County deputies were called to a rural Walhalla home on October 16 for a sexual assault that had occurred shortly before the 9-1-1 call was placed.

When deputies arrived, the victim named Benjamin “BJ” Hannesson, as her attacker.

An investigation revealed that the attacker, Hannesson, had entered the home through a window on the northwest side of the home during the night. He grabbed the victim from behind, put his hand over her mouth, poked something into her back, making her feel like it was a weapon, and led her to the bedroom. While on the way to the bedroom, Hannesson instructed the victim to not try anything.

When in the bedroom, Hannesson threw her on the bed and began to forcefully digitally penetrate the victim’s vagina, slapped her buttocks and pulled her hair.

Hannesson also stole the victim’s purse, which had a little more than one-thousand dollars US Currency.

Hannesson faces five felony counts: Gross Sexual Imposition-forcible rape, a Class AA felony; Burglary at night, a Class B felony; Felonious Restraint, a Class C felony; Terrorizing, a Class C felony; and theft of property, a Class B felony.

Hannesson is being held in the Pembina County Jail.