Crime

Suspect in Fatal Hibbing Shooting Charged With First Degree Murder

He is Scheduled to Appear in Court on September 12

HIBBING, Minn. – The suspect connected to a Hibbing murder last Christmas has now been indicted on a first degree murder charge. According to court records, 30-year-old Jerome Diante Spann has already pleaded not guilty to a second degree murder charge and second-degree assault charge on June 5. Spann is accused of shooting two victims last December in the 2400…

Court of Appeals Rules Duluth Officer Fired for Misuse of Force Be Reinstated

Officer Adam Huot closer to returning to force after being fired back in May 2017.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Police Officer who was fired after dragging a handcuffed man through the skywalk system and hitting his head on a doorway back in May of 2017 could be reinstated. On Tuesday the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed an earlier ruling that an arbitrator’s decision to reinstate Officer Adam Huot does not violate public policy. The fate…

Pedestrian Struck, 3 Wounded by Gunfire Outside State Fair

One Victime is in Critical Condition at Regions Hospital

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – St. Paul police say it was a chaotic close to the Minnesota State Fair as a pedestrian was struck by a car and three men were wounded by gunfire. Authorities say an altercation broke out about 10:20 p.m. Monday outside a fair gate and a woman was hit by a vehicle. She’s in critical condition…

Shooting In Maple, Wisconsin: Three Detained, One Victim Hospitalized

MAPLE, Wis. — The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed an afternoon shooting in Maple, Wisconsin. Deputies responded to reports of shots fired shortly before 4 p.m. on Monday on Pellman Loop Road, where they found one man with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, a 29 year-old man from Maple, was airlifted to a hospital in Duluth. His injuries from…

Prosecutor’s Office Clears Officers in Fatal Ashland Shooting

ASHLAND, Wis. – A prosecutor’s office in Ashland County has cleared law enforcement officers of any wrongdoing in the May 22 fatal officer involved shooting. According to authorities, on May 22 U.S. Marshal Officers and local law enforcement attempted to arrest 33-year-old Joseph Tedrick who had a federal warrant. While attempting to apprehend Tedrick, he entered a vehicle and struck…

Former Ashland Police Officer Charged In Auto Theft Case

He is Due in Court on September 16 in Ashland County

ASHLAND, Wis. – The 18-year veteran of the Ashland Police Department accused of stealing a vehicle in April has been charged with one count of Drive or Operate Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent-Abandon Vehicle. Authorities say Ty Juoni, 50, stole a vehicle from a residence in the 100 Block of 7th Avenue East in the early morning hours of April 28….

Gonvick Woman Charged With Criminal Vehicular Homicide

GONVICK, Minn. – A 47-year-old Gonvick woman has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide after authorities say she backed over and killed her boyfriend with her vehicle after a night of drinking. Authorities say Beth Rose Windus has been charged with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide in the death of her boyfriend Jonathon Sundquist, 51, of Proctor. According to…

Police: Man Falls Into Creek Running From Attempted Robbery

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating an attempted robbery that left a man seriously injured. Police say the 26-year-old victim fell into the creek near the 500 block of Lincoln Park Drive while running away from the suspects. Investigators believe the suspects are known to the victim. No arrests had been made Sunday. The victim’s injuries are not life…

Update: Son Charged in Deaths of Ex-NFL Lineman, Wife

Both Bennetts Were Shot According to Police

(courtesy: Fox 9) LONG PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Authorities in Minnesota have charged the son of former NFL lineman Barry Bennett in Bennett’s death. Barry Bennett and his wife, Carol, were found dead in their home in Long Prairie, a small town about two hours northwest of Minneapolis, on Wednesday. Their 22-year-old son Dylan has been sought since then. Both…

Deer River man Charged with Second Degree Murder

His next court appearance is scheduled for September 3

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – A 28-year-old Deer River man, identified as Kevin Daniel Jackson, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son in Inger earlier this week. Authorities say they responded to a call of a non-responsive four-year-old boy around 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. When officers arrived they found a child being held by…

Former Vikings Player Barry Bennett, Wife Found Dead in Minnesota

22-Year-Old Dylan Bennett is Being Sought by Police

(courtesy: Fox 9) LONG PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) – Authorities in Minnesota are investigating the deaths of a former NFL lineman and his wife under what they call suspicious circumstances. The bodies of Barry Bennett, 63, and his wife Carol were found Wednesday after a friend went to their home in Long Prairie for a welfare check. Todd County Sheriff Todd…

Eau Claire man Accused of Threatening Workplace Shooting

Pinkham Admitted to Texting That he was Going to Kill Everyone

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) – An Eau Claire man is charged with threatening to shoot up his workplace. A criminal complaint filed in Eau Claire County Circuit Court says 31-year-old Kevin Pinkham told a co-worker at Menards Distribution Center on August 15 that he planned to “shoot up the place.” The complaint says Pinkham admitted to texting his girlfriend that…

School Staff Member Accused of Sexually Assaulting Student

Roznowski is due Back in Court September 5

Courtney Roznowski GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – A staff member at a Green Bay high school is accused of sexually assaulting a male student. Thirty-one-year-old Courtney Roznowski, a paraprofessional at Southwest High School, appeared in court Wednesday on sexual assault charges. A police report says Roznowski and the 16-year-old boy denied having a sexual relationship when confronted earlier this week….

2 Homes Struck By Stray Bullets During Shooting Incident in Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. – A 20-year-old man is behind bars after a shooting in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood left two random homes with bullet holes. Stray bullet that ended up in a random home after a shooting incident in Lincoln Park Tuesday. The impact of a stray bullet that entered a woman’s home in Lincoln Park during a shooting incident outside. The…

‘Miracle on Ice’ Member Arrested on Assault Charges

Pavelich is due Back in Court October 28

COOK COUNTY, Minn. – A member of the 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice’ Olympic hockey team has been arrested on multiple charges including felony assault. Authorities say 61-year-old Mark Pavelich assaulted his Cook County neighbor with a metal pole causing serious injury. According to the criminal complaint, the attack happened in Pavelich’s home in the Lutsen area last Thursday. He is…

Man Charged in Duluth Heroin Drug Bust

Bail was set at $100,000

DULUTH, Minn. – A 26-year-old Chicago man was arrested in Duluth Tuesday on drug sales charges. According to investigators, Juron Carter was arrested in the 300 Block of North 2nd Avenue East for First Degree Sale of Heroin. Duluth Police, along with members of the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, found Carter to be in possession of…

Medical Examiner Rules Epstein Death a Suicide by Hanging

He was Found Dead August 10

NEW YORK (AP) – New York City’s medical examiner has ruled Jeffrey Epstein’s death a suicide. The medical examiner’s office said in a statement Friday that an autopsy and other evidence confirms the 66-year-old financier hanged himself in his cell at a federal jail. Epstein was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving underage girls. Epstein was placed on…

Iron Range Murder Trial Postponed

The Trial Will Begin on October 21

Deshon Bonnell HIBBING, Minn. – The trial for a suspect in an Iron Range murder case has been pushed back. According to court records, the order of a speedy trial was removed for 18-year-old Deshon Bonnell who is charged in the shooting death of 33-year-old Joshua LaValley in January. LaValley’s body was found by a snowmobiler on the Mesabi Trail…

Former St. Louis County Social Worker Makes First Court Appearance on Sex Assault Charges

His Next Court Appearance is Scheduled for October 8

Michael Bryant DULUTH, Minn. – A former St. Louis County Social Worker accused of demanding sex from a female client made his first court appearance on Wednesday in Duluth. According to court records, 46-year-old Michael Bryant, of Wrenshall, is charged with two counts of third-degree felony criminal sexual conduct. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office says Bryant was also placed…

Duluth Police: One Arrested in Shots Fired Incident

The Investigation is Ongoing

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police say an adult male was arrested early Thursday morning after receiving reports of shots fired around 2:49 a.m. Officers were dispatched to the 800 Block of Upham Road where they determined shots had been fired and arrested one adult male in the incident. Authorities say the male is pending formal charges from the St. Louis…

Minnesota man who Held “Death Party” for Wife Gets Three Years

Johnson was Given Credit for 201 Days Already Served

NEW ULM, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota man has been sentenced to three years in prison after he said he threw a “death party” for his wife and gave her methamphetamine that killed her. Fifty-nine-year-old Duane Johnson of Searles was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty in June to criminal neglect. Sixty-nine-year-old Debra Johnson was found dead in their home in…

No Contact Order Lifted for Father Accused in Baby’s Death

The no Contact Order had Been in Place Since Friday

STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota judge has lifted a no contact order for a man accused of killing his infant son allowing the defendant to have contact with his pregnant wife. The no contact order had been in place since Friday for 35-year-old Matthew Hoisser of Woodbury. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports a Washington County judge vacated the…

Iowa Pastor Arrested in Minnesota, Charged With Sexually Assaulting Young Girls

The man is Accused of Sexually Assaulting two Young Girls

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Authorities in Minnesota have arrested an Iowa pastor on charges that he sexually assaulted two girls at a home in Omaha, Nebraska. Police in Carlton County, Minnesota, arrested 44-year-old Emanuel J. Rodriguez on Saturday morning on a Douglas County, Nebraska, arrest warrant that charged him with two counts of third-degree sexual assault of a child. The…

Nashwauk man Charged in Fatal hit-and-run Granted Public Defender

Place Will Appear in Court Again on August 19

(Jake Place) ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – The Nashwauk man charged with two counts of Criminal Vehicular Homicide after he fatally struck a two-year-old boy and critically injured a 16-year-old during a hit-and-run earlier this month has been granted a public defender. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, officers learned a 16-year-old pedestrian was struck while pushing a 2-year-old in a…

Woodbury Father Charged in Death of his Baby son

Hoisser is Charged With Second-Degree Murder

STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota prosecutors say a Woodbury father intentionally dropped his 5-month-old son headfirst on the floor because the baby was crying and fussy. Thirty-five-year-old Matthew Hoisser is charged with second-degree murder in the April death of his son, Gus. Hoisser’s bail was set at $350,000 on Friday. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports a Washington County judge…

Two Arrested After Duluth Drug Bust

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police say two people were arrested after investigators seized methamphetamine during a search warrant on July 24. Investigators with the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force conducted the search warrant on the 200 Block of East 2nd Street around 12:20 p.m. July 24. During the search officers seized methamphetamine, a digital scale, drug packaging,…

One Arrested in Duluth After Fleeing Police

Officers Observed Walbridge Discard What Appeared to be a Handgun

DULUTH, Minn. – Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force say a 35-year-old male has been arrested on multiple charges and a felony domestic assault warrant. According to authorities, investigators conducted an Attempt to Pick Up for Erik Mark Walbridge, 35, on July 30 around 2:15 p.m. in the vicinity of 27th Avenue West and Michigan Street when Walbridge…

Bloomington man Charged With Fatally Stabbing Wife

Prosecutors are Seeking $1 Million Bail

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) – A Bloomington man is charged with fatally stabbing his wife. Fifty-six-year-old John Lawler is facing a second-degree murder charge and is expected in court Wednesday. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says prosecutors are seeking bail of $1 million. A criminal complaint says Lawler and his 47-year-old wife, Darla King, returned their townhome about 6 p.m. Sunday…

Woman Arrested in Fatal Stabbing in Little Canada

Authorities do not Believe There is a Threat to the Public

LITTLE CANADA, Minn. (AP) – Authorities have made an arrest in a fatal stabbing in Little Canada. Ramsey County sheriff’s officials say a 30-year-old woman, found covered in blood at her residence, was arrested early Monday. A woman about the same age was found dead outside the home about 10 p.m. Sunday. Authorities believe the suspect and victim knew each…

R. Kelly Faces two new Charges in Minnesota in 2001 Allegation

Robert Kelly is Charged in an Incident Involving a Girl he met at a Concert

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota authorities are charging singer R. Kelly with two counts of prostitution and solicitation involving a girl under 18 for an alleged incident in 2001. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says Robert Kelly is charged in an incident involving a girl he met at a concert. Freeman says the girl was trying to get an autograph from…

Three People Arrested At McDonald’s In Duluth

On Saturday night around 10 p.m., Duluth Police responded to a call of one person threatening another with what appeared to be a gun on the 2200-block of London Road. Duluth Police found the car the suspect was driving pulling into the McDonald’s on London Road a short time later, and removed five people from the vehicle. Officers found an…

The Latest On The Deadly Mass Shooting In Dayton, Ohio

(AP Photo/John Minchillo) DAYTON, Ohio (AP)  – The Latest on a deadly mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio (all times local): 5:05 p.m. The popular nightlife area where a gunman killed nine people and injured dozens of others has reopened to the public. The Oregon District was reopened Sunday afternoon, hours after the second mass shooting in the U.S. within 24…

Two-Year-Old Boy Killed in Nashwauk Fatal Hit-and-Run

NASHWAUK, Minn. – Stuffed bears and flowers are what’s left at the scene of a fatal hit-and-run accident that killed a young boy. 16-year-old girl Lexi Carroll was pushing two-year-old Logan Dean Klennert on Thursday at about 1 p.m. on the shoulder of Highway 65 at milepost 188 when a pickup truck swerved and hit them from behind. 38-year-old Jake…

Update: 2-Year-Old Boy Killed in Hit and Run, Suspect Charged

16-year-old girl also injured in incident; suspect in custody

Jake Place ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – A fatal hit and run killed a two-year-old boy Thursday afternoon in Northeast Itasca Township, about fifteen miles north of Nashwauk. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, officers learned a 16-year-old pedestrian, identified as Alexia Carroll, was struck while pushing a 2-year-old, identified as Logan Klennert, in a stroller. The 2-year-old died at the…

Two Arrested for Shots Fired in Cascade Park Area

No Injuries Were Reported

DULUTH, Minn. – Two individuals were arrested Wednesday night for firing shots in the Cascade Park area in Duluth. According to reports, officers responded to the scene and were provided “excellent descriptions of three individuals” by witnesses in the park at the time of the incident. Officers located the three suspects at 5th Avenue East and 4th Street where two…

Remains Found in Missing Wisconsin Brothers Case

The Remains Have not Been Officially Identified

SHAWANO, Wis. (AP) -Authorities say human remains have been found on a northwest Missouri farm that has been the focus of a search for two missing Wisconsin brothers. Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish announced Wednesday the remains were found on a farm near Braymer. He says the remains have not been officially identified. No cause of death has been determined….

Charges Filed Against Individuals Arrested in Hermantown Drug Bust

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The four individuals arrested in connection to a drug bust Monday morning in Hermantown have now been formally charged. According to court records, Walter Charles Johnson, 48, has been charged with Fifth Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance while the other three suspects Bobbi Sue Nesgoda, 35, Sidney Spendler, 30, and Alex Leskey, 31, all face one…

Douglas Co. Dist. Atty. Reviewing Auto Theft Case Against Ashland Police Officer

ASHLAND, Wis. – The case against a longtime Ashland police officer accused of auto theft is now in the hands of Douglas County District Attorney Mark Fruehauf for possible charges. The 18-year veteran of the Ashland Police Department retired in May – the same month Ashland Police Chief Jim Gregoire sent out a press release about the allegations against the…

Wisconsin Sheriff Draws Parallel With Closs Case

German Killed Three of his Family Members and a 24-Year-old Woman

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (AP) – Authorities in Wisconsin say a man suspected of killing four people may have been imitating the abduction last year of teenager Jayme Closs. Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk said Tuesday that investigators may never know exactly what led to the Sunday attacks. He says Ritchie German Jr. killed three of his family members and later killed a…

Suspect in Virginia Shooting Charged With Attempted Murder

The Victim Remains Hospitalized for his Injuries

VIRGINIA, Minn. – 30-year-old Luke Mathias Erkkila has been formally charged with attempted murder for his involvement in a shooting that happened on Friday in Virginia. According to court documents, Virginia police responded to the report of a shooting on the 800 Block of 6th Avenue South shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Friday. When officers arrived on the scene they…

Two Duluth Men Sentenced for Trafficking Teenage Girl For Sex

Mathis Took the Girl After she ran Away From a Treatment House in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. –Two Duluth men were sentenced on Monday for trafficking a 15-year-old girl for sex. A jury found 44-year-old Amos Kiprop Koech guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and sex trafficking of a minor on January 24. Koech’s alleged co-conspirator, 33-year-old Andre Mathis Jr., pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor on January 10….