A 33-year-old repeat felon has been convicted of rape and robbery in a random attack in a St. Paul alley of a woman in the midst of gender transition.

Demetrius J. Miller, no known address, was found guilty Monday by a Ramsey County District Court jury of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and first-degree aggravated robbery in the May 18 attack in a gas station alley in the 1300 block of W. University Avenue.

"This was a brutal and unprovoked attack, and we are pleased that the jury returned guilty verdicts on both charges in this case," said County Attorney John Choi.

During the trial, the 27-year-old woman testified to being in the process of becoming a man.

The victim also testified about offering marijuana to Miller before the two went into the alley.

At that point, Miller beat and robbed the victim. In the altercation, the victim's shorts were pulled down, and Miller realized the biological makeup of his victim and proceeded to carry out the rape, the testimony continued.

According to the criminal complaint:

After the sexual assault, Miller fled with his victim's pants, cellphone and iPod. The beating left the victim with a stitched-up lip and swollen eyes.

A gas station employee told police that Miller is a regular customer and described him as "unstable."

In an interview with police, Miller said he robbed his victim of $30 but did not commit rape and that he was "going to trick her for some drugs." He also told police that the victim had raped him.

Miller's criminal history in Minnesota includes at least four felony convictions since 2004, three on felony drug charges and another for terroristic threats.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482