Austin Fercking

A Minot man charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Bismarck in November 2024 was acquitted of that charge by a jury but convicted on other charges in South Central District Court on Thursday, Oct. 23.

The jury’s verdict against Austin Fercking, 41, came after a three-day trial in Bismarck. The jury acquitted Fercking on the Class AA felony gross sexual imposition charge, but convicted him on Class C felony counts of aggravated assault, interference with telephone during emergency call and terrorizing; and two Class B misdemeanor counts of simple assault and criminal mischief-willful damage.

According to court documents, Fercking was charged after Bismarck Police investigated a reported physical domestic incident at a Bismarck hotel on Nov. 2, 2024.

The female victim was found in the hallway outside of a room, and reported she had been sexually assaulted by Fercking after meeting him on a dating app. Court documents state the victim accused Fercking of striking her in the face and choking her, and that he smashed her phone to prevent her from calling police.

Fercking’s sentencing has been scheduled for Dec. 8. He faces up to five years in prison for the Class C felonies.