Crime

Largest Heroin Bust in Region’s History Announced in Duluth

At Least 32 People Charged and Nearly a Million Dollars of Heroin Taken Out of Circulation

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are celebrating the region’s largest heroin bust ever. Twelve people have been charged in a forty-six count federal indictment and twenty more have been arrested for state crimes. Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force members hope their first major heroin bust sends a message to drug dealers…

11-Year-Old Girl in Custody After Cloquet School Threat

Cloquet Police Say There Is No Concern About School Safety Following Investigation

CLOQUET, Minn. – An eleven year old girl is in police custody after she made a threat of violence referencing Cloquet Middle School and High School. Cloquet Police say all is safe at the school following their investigation Wednesday morning. Late Tuesday night, Cloquet Police were made aware of a social media post containing a violent threat to Cloquet schools….

School Shooting Suspect Indicted on 17 Counts of Murder

Could mean a death sentence if Cruz is convicted.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz was formally charged Wednesday with 17 counts of first-degree murder, which could mean a death sentence if he is convicted. The indictment returned by a grand jury in Fort Lauderdale also charges the 19-year-old with 17 counts of attempted murder for the Valentine’s Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas…

Update: Three Victims in Duluth Stabbing

Male has been taken into custody

DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Duluth Police Department there were three adult victims in the Riverside Neighborhood stabbing this morning stemming from a domestic assault incident. All three victims are being treated at local hospitals for non-life threatening injuries. A 34-year-old male was taken into custody at the scene and lodged at the St. Louis County Jail. He is…

Thunder Bay Man Arrested for Drug Possession in Cook County

Over 3,000 non prescription narcotic pills seized.

GRAND MARIAS, Minn. – A Thunder Bay man was arrested on Friday by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance from the US Border patrol and charged with 1st Degree Drug Possession. John Edward Heinonen, age 60, picked up a package in Grand Portage that contained approximately 3,000 non-prescribed narcotic pills. “I commend the efforts of our CCSO investigator…

Police Resolve Threat Referencing Cloquet High School

Officials say the Threat was Made Through Social Media

CLOQUET, Minn. – Authorities say all is safe in Cloquet Wednesday morning after police responded to a threat of violence referencing Cloquet High School. Tuesday evening the Cloquet Police Department was made aware of this potential threat of violence and immediately began investigating the incident. The threat was made through social media. Thirty minutes after being notified, officers located an…

2 Charged in Ashland Homicide

Both face 2 counts of felony charges.

ASHLAND, Wis. – Both suspects, 42-year-old Matthew Phillips and 38-year-old Jennifer Mustache, have been charged in the killing of Marcus Holton. Holton, 52, was found dead in his home in Ashland Feb. 25. Phillips and Mustache were arrested in Superior on Feb. 27. Mustache was found with a small amount of methamphetamine at the time of her arrest. Phillips and…

Threat at Denfeld High School Could Mean Consequences for Student

Police Do Not Believe There's Any Remaining Threat at Denfeld

DULUTH, Minn. – A student has been identified in connection to a threat of a shooting at Duluth’s Denfeld High School. Classes were not cancelled Monday. Police and the school district felt there was no intent to carry out the threat. On Friday, a Denfeld High School student was overheard by another student talking about shooting up the school. It…

Update: Deceased Male at Eel Pout Festival Identified

Name of victim has been released

WALKER, Minn. -The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has now identified the body of the male who was found unresponsive in a fish house at the Eel Pout Festival. Authorities have identified the man as 21-year-old Samuel Schooley of Bemidji. An autopsy is still pending with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office. The incident remains under investigation. Categories: Crime, News, News…

Two Suspects Arrested After Allegedly Trying to Burglarize Hermantown Home

Incident Allegedly Happened Late Thursday Night

HERMANTOWN, Minn.-Hermantown police have arrested two suspects who allegedly forced their way into a home on the 4000 block of Ugstad Road to burglarize it late Thursday night. A couple was sleeping inside at the time. One of the homeowners woke up and chased the suspects out of the house. The two were then caught by responding officers. The suspects…

St. Louis County Addresses Drug Issue On Opioid Awareness Day

Gov. Dayton has announced a several legislative proposals to combat the opioid crisis.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s Opioid Awareness Day in Minnesota. Many advocates from the Northland are at the State Capitol to have their voices heard. Last year 50 percent of child protective cases involved parents abusing drugs, which in turn cost taxpayers more than $7 million in St. Louis County. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office is taking action by aggressively prosecuting dealers selling opioids. “We still want to…

Parents Warned About Spoofing Apps Used To Lure Children

Officials say can help make your children aware about spoofing and have a plan set up, so they don't take instructions from a stranger.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown Police are sounding the alarm about a new app that criminals are using to get to your kids. The problem is called “spoofing.” That’s when someone uses an app to disguise their identity and voice all while hiding behind a fake phone number. There are several spoofing apps you can download on a smartphone to spoof someone. Spoofing can be done as a prank or for criminal intent….

Hermantown Police Seize 26 Pounds of Marijuana, Two Arrested

Seven pounds of Butane Hash Oil, or "Wax," also seized.

(Still Awaiting Mugshot for Williams)HERMANTOWN, Minn. – On February 21 the Hermantown Police Department and Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant at the 4100 Block of Meadow Parkway in Hermantown. Officers seized approximately 26 pounds of marijuana, 7 pounds of Butane Hash Oil, also known as “Wax,” and $27,000 in cash. Two loaded handguns,…

Community Voices Opinion on Potential Police Riot Gear

Purchasing the equipment has been put on hold until public comment has been heard.

DULUTH, Minn.- The potential purchasing of riot gear for Duluth Police Officers is an on-going controversial topic. Wednesday night the Duluth Citizen’s Review Board and the Duluth Police Department listened in on concerns and support. Officials with the Duluth Police Department say the riot gear would only be worn during a violent protest, not on a regular assignment. Wednesday night…

Shots Fired in Eveleth Leads to Arrest

EVELETH, Minn.-The Eveleth Police Department made an arrest at about 8 p.m. last night after a report of a bullet striking a home there. The police were dispatched to 618 Adams Ave. after a homeowner heard a loud “bang.” Officers were able to locate a bullet that penetrated an upstairs window, went through a hallway, and into a bedroom. Several…

Two Level 3 Predatory Offenders Moving to Hibbing

Public Notification Meeting to be held tomorrow, February 22, 2018 at 6 PM.

ROYCE ANTHONY DRIFT TIMOTHY DAVID PAIGE HIBBING, Minn. – The Hibbing Police Department will be holding a Community Notification Meeting tomorrow, February 22, 2018 at 6 PM.  The meeting will be held in the Little Theater located on the lower level of the Hibbing Memorial Building 400 East 23rd Street. This meeting is to inform the public that two Level…

UMD Police Department Host Active Shooter Training Session

UMD Police DEpartment hosts this training session at least once a year to keep faculty and staff updated

DULUTH, Minn. –  UMD faculty and staff underwent an active shooter training session on Tuesday. The UMD Dolice Department hosts this training session at least once a year to keep UMD faculty and staff updated on ways to stay safe should a shooter do harm on campus. “Us as a police department, this is something that we plan for, something…

Russia Troll Farm Even Zanier than Indictment Says

The indictment glosses over some of the wackier aspects of Russian trolling stunts

MOSCOW (AP) – A Clinton-Obama sex tape using body doubles. A Facebook page promoting Texas independence riddled with grammatical mistakes. The U.S. indictment centered on a Russian internet “troll farm” only scratches the surface of the agency that allegedly produced content to sway the presidential election – and glosses over how unconvincing some of its stunts could be.  Although it…

Two Suspects Could be Facing Multiple Charges in Hibbing False Imprisonment Case

Incident Happened Yesterday Afternoon in Hibbing

HIBBING, Minn.-Two men were arrested in Hibbing yesterday for alleged false imprisonment. The incident occurred at about 5 p.m. when officers were dispatched to a call of a male being held against his will by another male with a gun in the 3800 block of Second Avenue West. A reporting party said her boyfriend had been contacted by a male to…

Former Duluth and Superior Mayor Arrested

Herb Bergson Arrested Yesterday in Douglas County

SUPERIOR, Wis.-Sheriff Tom Dalbec of Douglas County says former Duluth and Superior Mayor Herb Bergson was booked into Douglas County Jail yesterday just after 5 p.m. for allegedly leaving the scene, after crashing his vehicle into a tree somewhere in Douglas County. Information on where the incident occurred is still not available, according to Dalbec. Dalbec said, after the crash,…

Police Looking for West Seventh Street Robbery Suspects

Incident Happened at Some Point Sunday

DULUTH, Minn.-Duluth Police are reporting that two masked individuals came into a residence Sunday and ransacked a house on the 2100 block of West Seventh Street. A person in the home was unable to provide descriptions of the two suspects or an exact time when the incident occurred. It’s believed it happened at some point in the evening. The Duluth…

Proctor Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison on Attempted Murder Charge

Shooting Occurred After Suspect Got Into Argument With His Girlfriend

PROCTOR, Minn.-Forty-one-old Rusty Kallis of Proctor was sentenced today to 16 years in prison for attempted first-degree murder. Kallis was accused of trying to shoot his live-in girlfriend back in 2016. During the incident, police said he fired numerous rounds in a home on the 100-block of Fifth Street in Proctor. The shooting occurred after getting into an argument with…

Hit and Run Accident in Duluth

One pedestrian injured.

Witnesses described the vehicle as possibly a 2002 or 2003 Ford “Focus” sedan, similar to the car in this picture. (This is not the actual vehicle.)UPDATE: The vehicle’s driver has been identified and interviewed.  We will update you have more details become available. DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a hit-and-run accident that occurred around 11P.M….

Austin Hilden Sentenced in Vehicular Homicide Case

Criminal vehicular homicide results in 41 month sentence

DULUTH, Minn. – Today 19 year old Austin Darrell Hilden is sentenced to 41 months in prison.  According to St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin, Hilden pled guilty in State District Court to one count of Criminal Vehicular Homicide and one count of Criminal Vehicular Operation causing Great Bodily Harm. The charges stemmed from a one-car accident on May 29,…

Missing Inmate Found Illinois

Went Missing Yesterday in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.-Inmate Daniel Torres, 44, who went missing yesterday in Duluth, was found this morning in Cook County, Illinois. He was set to take the bus to a prison camp in Illinois, but skipped out on it and left with other individuals at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday in Duluth. He was originally housed in the Duluth Federal Prison Camp. Torres was…

February Is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

CASDA Urges Adults to Initiate Domestic Violence Conversations with Teens

SUPERIOR, Wis. – February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Every year, about one and a half million American high school students experience physical abuse from a partner. According to the Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA), teen dating violence is a bigger problem in the Northland than the national average. Teen dating violence can be physical, emotional, sexual,…

Inmate Goes Missing During Transfer to Illinois

Inmate Was Last Seen at 7:30 a.m.

DULUTH, Minn.-Inmate Daniel Torres, 44, was set to take the bus to a prison camp in Illinois, but skipped out on it and left with other individuals at 7:30 a.m. this morning in Duluth. He was originally housed in the Duluth Federal Prison Camp. The Hispanic man  has black hair, brown eyes, and is five-feet, six-inches tall, and weighs 180…

Bemidji Assistant Principal Sentenced to 25 Years for Posing as Minor, Having Sexual Conversations with Students

Former Assistant Principal With District from 2005 to 2017

BEMIDJI, Minn.-A former assistant principal at Bemidji Middle School has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after pretending to be a teenage boy online and having sexual conversations with students. Brandon Mark Bjerknes, 35, had been federally charged with producing and distributing child pornography and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. According to a personnel data request with the…

Shooting Incident in Biwabik Leaves Two in Jail

No One Injured in Incident

BIWABIK, Minn.-Two men are in jail today after a man allegedly shot at another man from a second story window at the Northland Apartments in Biwabik yesterday. It all happened about 5 p.m. and when police arrived, they located the shooter and took him into custody without incident. He could be facing charges of second-degree assault and unlawful discharge of…

Level Three Predatory Offender Meeting in Hibbing

Robert Alan Keogh changed addresss within the city of Hibbing

Level 3 offender, Robert Alan Keogh, changed addresses within the city of Hibbing, MN. HIBBING, Minn. – The Hibbing Police Department will be conducting a Community Notification Level Three Predatory Offender Meeting on February 8, 2018 at 6:00 PM in the Little Theater located on the lower level of the Hibbing Memorial Building, which is at 400 E 23rd St,…

Two Brothers Arrested in Dollar General Robbery in Deer River

Incident Occurred Wednesday

DEER RIVER, Minn.-Two brothers have been arrested for allegedly robbing a Dollar General Store in Deer River Wednesday. Norman Wayne Cutbank III, 22, of Duluth and Montana Oshki Ayaabe Cutbank, 18, of Cass Lake, are charged with one count of aggravated robbery in the first degree. According to the criminal complaint:  “The employees stated that the one of the suspects…

Woman Who Cut Baby From Neighbor Gets Life Term

Crime Left 22-Year-Old Savanna Greywind Dead

FARGO, N.D.-A North Dakota woman who admitted killing a pregnant neighbor and cutting the baby from the womb while the mother was still alive has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Brooke Crews pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder and lying to law officers in the August death…

Suspect in LA School Shooting Believed to be 12 Year Old Girl

Two students were shot and wounded

Photo: Damian DovarganesLOS ANGELES (AP) — Two students were shot and wounded, one critically, inside a Los Angeles middle school classroom Thursday morning and police arrested a female student believed to be 12 years old, authorities said. A 15-year-old boy hit in the head was transported to a trauma center in critical but stable condition, according to fire department spokesman…

Armed Robbery Suspects Wanted in Deer River

It's Believed Two Men Robbed Dollar General in Deer River

DEER RIVER, Minn.-The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two suspects allegedly involved in an armed robbery at the Dollar General in Deer River last night. It happened at about 8:30 p.m. at 307 Main Ave. W. The sheriff’s office needs your help in identifying two men in that area at that time, who may be involved in the…

Companies Exploit Marijuana Law Loophole

Buy a Shirt, Get Pot "Gift"

(AP Photo/Steven Senne) BOSTON (AP) — That ordinary bottle of juice delivered to your doorstep will set you back at least $55. But the bag of marijuana that comes with it? On the house. Retail marijuana stores are months away from opening in Massachusetts, but some companies have been quietly operating for more than a year, selling and delivering marijuana…

Man Who Carved “Snitch” Into Victim’s Body Is Sentenced

WRENSHALL, Minn. – A Wrenshall man who kidnapped and carved the word “snitch” into his victim’s body is sentenced for the crime. The Carlton County Attorney’s Office says a judge sentenced 21-year-old Scott Lindgren to 50 months in prison. Lindgren pleaded guilty to tying a 17-year-old boy to a chair, beating him and carving the word “snitch” into the boy’s…

Attempted Murder Charge Filed in Duluth Stabbing

Authorities says suspect, victim did not know each other

Duluth, Minn. – An attempted murder charge is now filed against Willie Nicholson, 23, of Duluth.   Nicholson is accused of stabbing a man, who authorities say he didn’t know, more than a dozen times. According to the complaint, Nicholson broke in the victim’s apartment to find a place to sleep before the attack unfolded. Nicholson entered the apartment building at…

Woman Reported Missing in Grand Rapids

Last Seen First Week of January

UPDATE:  Investigators have developed new information that puts Tawhna Pringle in the Babbitt area on January 11, 2018. Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating Tawhna or her vehicle and would like people to check their properties or trails for the vehicle or signs of someone seeking shelter. If you have any information please contact the Grand Rapids…

Police To Release More Details Tuesday In “Random” Stabbing

DULUTH, Minn. – Charges were pending Monday night against a man accused of randomly stabbing another man in West Duluth multiple times while he was sleeping in his bedroom. The attack happened 6 a.m. Saturday inside an apartment building at 4731 Grand Avenue. Authorities believe the 23-year-old suspect went through an unlocked door before stabbing the 20-year-old victim at least…

New Duluth Police Officers Train For Field Sobriety Tests

DULUTH, Minn. — The culture of drinking and driving in Minnesota has changed since the 1980s when more than 250 people died every year in alcohol-related crashes. Since 2010, that number now averages around 127 deaths every year. But authorities stress even one death a year is far too many. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger gives you a look inside the Duluth…

Man Stabbed Repeatedly; Police Believe Crime Is Random

20-year-old Male Victim Being Treated for Multiple Stab wounds; 23-year-old Male Suspect in Custody

DULUTH, Minn. – Early this morning, a man was stabbed at least twelve times in his home. Duluth Police believe the suspect entered the victim’s home through an unlocked door and began stabbing him while he was sleeping in bed. It’s believed that the suspect randomly entered the victim’s residence and the suspect and victim did not know each other….

Two killed in shooting at high school

BENTON, Ky. (AP)  – Gov. Matt Bevin says two people have been killed and 19 injured in a shooting at a high school in southwest Kentucky. Of the 19 injured, Bevin says 14 of those were gunshot wounds. Bevin also said the suspect in the Tuesday morning shooting at Marshall County High School is a 15-year-old male student who will…

Duluth Police Department Welcomes 15 New Officers

Each New Officer Had their Badge Pinned on by a Loved One in Attendance

DULUTH, Minn. – Fifteen new officers were sworn in to the Duluth Police Department today. Each officer had their badge pinned on by a loved one. For the new officers, this marked the end of years of training and preparation and five weeks in the Police Academy. “Now we’re going to be going with our senior officers on some training…

Abuse in House of Torture was ‘Severe, Pervasive, Prolonged’

The parents of 13 children and young adults have plead not guilty

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A California couple tortured a dozen of their children for years, starving them to the point that their growth was stunted, chaining them to their beds for up to months, preventing them from using the toilet at times and forbidding them from showering more than once a year, a prosecutor said Thursday. Frederic J. Brown/Pool Photo…

Shots Allegedly Fired During Domestic Disturbance in Sawyer County Saturday

One Person Arrested in Incident

LENROOT TOWNSHIP, Wis.-A 39-year-old man was arrested early Saturday morning after allegedly firing shots during a domestic disturbance in Lenroot, Wis. The incident happened at about 1 a.m. at a residence on Valley Road. A 40-year-old female victim was located at a residence away from the location where it allegedly occurred. The victim said she was physically assaulted by a…

Superior Mother’s “Little Free Library” Set On Fire; Community Steps Up

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A mother of three from Superior is looking for your help to make as many “Little Free Libraries” as possible for the community after her family’s free library was set on fire. The fire happened late Saturday night outside Laura Selden’s home on Birch Avenue. Selden, who is a former MIX 108 morning radio personality and now…

Protesters Arrested at Downtown Duluth Wells Fargo

Water Protector protest leads to three arrests

  DULUTH, Minn – Three protesters were arrested today in Duluth after making their voices heard at Wells Fargo bank downtown. The protesters are against financial contributions large banks like Wells Fargo are making to oil companies such as Enbridge. Authorities tell us roughly 30 protesters were on site. The three individuals arrested had chained themselves to doors and a…

Minnesota Human Services Chief to Fight Release of Serial Rapist

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper says she’ll appeal a judicial panel’s approval of the conditional release of a serial rapist from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program.  Thomas R. Duvall has spent the past 30 years locked up for the violent rapes of teenage girls in the 1970s and 1980s. The Star Tribune reports that a three-judge panel…

Sex Trafficking Vigil Held in Two Harbors

Lake County Sex Trafficking Task Force Aims to Stop Trafficking Before It Starts

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – January is Human Trafficking and Sex Trafficking Awareness Month. Monday, in Two Harbors, a vigil was held honoring the victims of sex trafficking. The Lake County Sex Trafficking Task Force held their annual vigil in memory of those who lost their lives to sex exploitation and in solidarity with those who continue to be victimized. The…