FARGO (KFGO) - A Fargo man accused of sexually assaulting an employee of a Mapleton convenience store has been sentenced to 26 years in prison.
Asst. Cass County State's Attorney Ryan Younggren recommended life in prison for Abdulrahman Ali, 37, who was convicted on five felony counts, including gross sexual imposition.
The 58 year-old victim was punched and kicked during the attack in a restroom at Gordy's Travel Plaza in Mapleton in Dec. 2015. Ali ripped the women's clothes off and both of them were naked when deputies finally managed to break down the door.
Ali told the court that he's mentally ill. His attorney asked for a 20-year sentence.
East Central District Judge Thomas Olson said he couldn't find a reason to excuse Ali's criminal conduct. He called it a "horrendous" crime that deserved substantial punishment.
