Grand Forks man sentenced to 30 years in prison for kidnapping, attempted sexual assault

A man in Grand Forks was sentenced to 30 years in prison for kidnapping a woman and trying to sexually assault her. He was sentenced on Friday.

The Grand Forks Herald reported that a jury found Jarrod Jashawn Adams, 29, guilty of Class A felony kidnapping, Class A attempted sexual imposition, Class C felony terrorizing, Class C felony interference with a 911 call, and Class B misdemeanor simple assault.

An affidavit in the case noted that Adams apparently followed the victim into her Grand Forks apartment building on May 1, 2022. When the woman became alarmed, she reportedly texted her then-boyfriend. The message was shown to the jury during the trial.

However, her boyfriend was unable to gain entry into the secure building.

Court statements from both the state and judge revealed that security footage of the area showed Adams casing the area to make sure that no one could see him.

Adams then followed the woman to her fourth-floor apartment. When she made for the elevator, he apparently blocked her. Video footage that showed part of the dispute was shown during the trial.

Judge Jason McCarthy said that the victim's "reaction on that video was visceral," adding that it was clear she "was terrified. It was scary to even watch."

Adams reportedly reached for his waistband, presumably making reference to a weapon. He instructed the victim not to scream. Then he grabbed the victim by her neck and reached for her cell phone, according to the report.

The woman managed to get away and ran down the hallway. She reportedly entered an empty apartment, but Adams pursued her and grabbed her while she screamed for help. Though she attempted to get away, Adams "forcefully pulled" her back inside the unit.

The victim struck Adams in the groin and scratched his neck and face in an effort to get away. When she fought him off, Adams fled the building. However, he was soon located by law enforcement and arrested that same day.

Ashlei Neufeld, who was representing the state in the case, said that Adams had "stole (the victim's) safety, her sense of security, that day."

"His plan that day was to rape her," she added. "He did kidnap her that day."

Neufeld also referred to Adams' pre-existing criminal record, which stretched across several states. But he did not have a history of sex crimes or kidnapping, per Grand Forks Herald.

Adams was found guilty and subsequently sentenced. The report noted that Adams will have to serve 25.5 years in prison before he will be eligible for parole.

During his time behind bars, Adams will have to complete a sex offender evaluation and carry out its recommendations. When he is eventually released, he will be on supervised probation for five years, and he will be required to register as a sex offender for at least 15 years.

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