Rochester Man Admits to Bribery Charge in Violent Crime Case
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man has admitted to a felony bribery charge stemming from an investigation into a kidnapping, robbery, and assault earlier this year.
Kidnapping Investigation Led to Additional Charges
Olmsted County court documents indicate the case against 27-year-old Amnabear Omot Nyigwo was linked to an incident that began on the night of February 5. A man who was hospitalized with facial injuries told Rochester police that he had acted as a "middleman" in drug transactions for another man, identified as 26-year-old Crestopher Komakic Joseph Lon Ogak.
The criminal complaint against Ogak says the victim explained to investigators that he was given $1,500 to purchase oxycodone but was unable to obtain the drugs. He then arranged to meet Ogak at a Rochester gas station to return the money. Instead, the victim stated that Ogak arrived for the meeting armed with a gun and accused him of stealing.
READ MORE: Man Kidnapped from Rochester Gas Station, Reports Being Assaulted and Robbed
Court Documents Describe Alleged Kidnapping, Assault, and Robbery
It is alleged that Ogak then drove the victim to his northwest Rochester home, where he was beaten by a group of people. The criminal complaint says the victim described being pistol-whipped multiple times and robbed of the $1,500 that he had planned to return to Ogak, along with another $150 that was allegedly taken from his account through a Cash App transfer.
Kidnapping Suspect Held on $1 Million Bail
Ogak was later arrested and charged with aiding and abetting kidnapping, first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, and threats of violence. He remains jailed with bail set at $1 million with his trial currently scheduled in November.
Court Records Detail Alleged Witness Bribery
According to the criminal complaint against Nyigwo, Ogak contacted a number of associates while in jail and directed them to speak with the victim in the kidnapping and assault case. Investigators obtained a series of text messages involving Nyigwo, who was accused of offering the victim drugs and money to recant his allegations against Ogak. The court document alleges that Nyigwo instructed the victim to say "that he was off drugs and doesn't remember what he said and made a mistake."
Nyigwo is scheduled to be sentenced later this month. His plea agreement does not include a sentencing recommendation.
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