Crime

Iron County Sheriff’s Office Considers 2 Horse Deaths ‘Suspicious’

Two horse fatalities are under investigation in Iron County. The Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook to say investigators consider the deaths “suspicious.” The deaths happened Wednesday night into early Thursday on a property off of County Highway C in South Carey. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt, Foryan or Sgt. Wozniak of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office at…

‘One Pill Can Kill’ — The Fentanyl Crisis

DULUTH, Minn – Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa was one of four Minnesota law enforcement officers to appear with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) who spoke about the fentanyl crisis.  The online event was designed to raise awareness of the increasing dangers of fentanyl. It has been involved in 92 percent of overdose deaths in Minnesota. Fentanyl is increasingly becoming known…

Northeast Minnesota Criminal Justice Summit Focuses on Crime Survivors

DULUTH, Minn. — The 2024 Northeast Minnesota Criminal Justice Summit took place Thursday. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office hosting the event at Pike Lake Beach and Gold Club. The day long training is for law enforcement, prosecutors, social workers and others to learn new ways to serve victims of crimes. It focused on human trafficking, compensation for victims, sexual…

Former Superior Police Sgt. Takes Plea Deal In 2022 Fatal Crash

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A former Sergeant with the Superior Police Department is taking a plea deal in a 2022 fatal hit and run crash that involved alcohol. With a guilty plea of two counts of Vehicular Homicide involving alcohol, 44-year-old Gregory Swanson is facing the possibility of 9 years in prison for each count. Court documents say Swanson’s blood-alcohol level…

Minnesota State Senator Arrested On Suspicion Of Burglary

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A state senator and former broadcast meteorologist was arrested on suspicion of burglary early Monday in the northwestern Minnesota city of Detroit Lakes, police said. Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 49, of Woodbury, was being held in the Becker County Jail on suspicion of first-degree burglary. Formal charges were still pending Monday afternoon, Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve…

2 Motorcyclists Injured In Separate NW Wis. Crashes With Vehicles

The motorcycle riding season has started off with two serious accidents in northwest Wisconsin over the weekend. The first incident happened Sunday afternoon in Sawyer County on Highway 70 near the Township of Winter. The Sheriff’s Office said the driver struck a motorcyclist while attempting to turn around after being on the shoulder. The motorcyclist, 57-year-old Daniel Barber, was flown…

Sheriff: Distracted Driver Slams Into Deputy’s Vehicle At Crash Scene

A distracted driver slammed into a deputy’s cruiser Monday in St. Louis County, according to Sheriff Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay posted photos on social media and said the avoidable incident was a big reminder to move over for public safety vehicles and road maintenance workers. Vehicle that struck Deputy’s vehicle The deputy was not seriously injured. Ramsay said the deputy’s SUV…

Duluth Police: Man Intentionally Slams Vehicle Into Grocery Store

Suspect is believed to be an employee of Super One

DULUTH, Minn. — A driver is facing multiple charges after crashing into a Super One Foods Saturday morning in West Duluth. A boarded up front entry way could be seen later in the day. Police told FOX 21 the 48-year-old man who was driving the vehicle is believed to be an employee of the store who was experiencing a mental…

Celebration Of Life For Duluth Domestic Homicide Victim Allisa Vollan

HERMANTOWN, Minn.– Family and friends of Allisa Vollan, a victim of Domestic Homicide, gathered Saturday to celebrate her life. Vollan was a Duluth woman who has become Minnesota’s sixth homicide victim so far this year. Allisa’s family held a celebration of life to remember the 27 year old. Her family also used the celebration to spread awareness on Domestic Violence….

3 Charged, New Details Released In Downtown Duluth Stabbing Death

DULUTH, Minn. – Three men are wanted and charged after an altercation outside a Duluth bar last week left a woman fatally stabbed. Darrius Plummer, 34, of Canton, Michigan, is charged with second-degree murder. Kimonte Cadge, 36, of Duluth, is charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon after he allegedly chased down Plummer after the stabbing and “pistol-whipped” him,…

Family Of Duluth Domestic Homicide Victim Talk Anger, Grief, Hope

Allisa Vollan was 27 years old

DULUTH, Minn. — There is anger and grief from the family of a Duluth woman who has become Minnesota’s sixth homicide victim so far this year by, who authorities call, an intimate partner. In March, Allisa Vollan, 27, was killed by her boyfriend, Dale Howard, 25, according to the criminal complaint. Allisa was found dead in Howard’s apartment just nine…

UMD Senior Art Exhibit Focuses on the Falsely Incarcerated

The opening night of Holly Brown's exhibit also featured guest speaker Herman Lindsey

DULUTH, Minn. — A new exhibit has opened at UMD’s Tweed Museum of Art, focusing on wrongful convictions and the death penalty. Senior Holly Brown created the exhibit, “Exonerated,” to show the impact of wrongful convictions on people’s lives around the country. Brown is a non-traditional student at UMD, returning years later to finish her degree. She says one of…

Mourning Continues Outside Downtown Memorial For Duluth Stabbing Victim

DULUTH, Minn. — Another vigil was held Saturday night for a young woman who was stabbed in the neck at bar close Friday morning on West First Street in downtown Duluth. Sunday afternoon, close friends and family of the victim held a community BBQ as they called for justice to be served in Duluth’s second homicide of the year. Chantel…

Duluth Mayor and Police Chief Release Statements On Early Morning Downtown Homicide

  UPDATE (April 12, 5:30 pm.)–A woman was stabbed to death in downtown Duluth overnight. It happened on First Street between Lake Avenue and First Avenue West. Crime on that block has been so troublesome, that police have focused special attention to the area. As many as eight squad cars were still on the scene processing evidence and taking people…

Michigan School Shooter’s Parents Sentenced To At Least 10 Years In Prison

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A judge sentenced the parents of a Michigan school shooter to at least 10 years in prison Tuesday for failing to take steps that could have prevented a “runaway train” — the killing of four students in 2021. Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting. They were found guilty of…

BCA Search For Clues At Cloquet Home Involving Disappearance Of Peter Martin

BCA photo CLOQUET, Minn. — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has provided an update on the disappearance of Peter Martin, a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Peter Martin The BCA posted photos on social meeting Friday that showed crime scene investigators at a house in Cloquet as part of their efforts to…

Duluth Man Indicted In Federal Child Pornography Case

DULUTH, Minn. — A one-time Duluth ski coach is now federally indicted on charges of possessing 18,000 images and videos of child pornography. John Degelau, 27, was arrested and released Thursday after being arraigned in federal court. John Degelau Authorities said he used Adobe Photoshop to morph child pornography that he found online with other non-explicit images of minors. Authorities…

Sexual Assault, Domestic and Child Abuse Getting Important Focus in April

Awareness effort started Monday in Superior with commitment to support and education.

Sexual assault and domestic and child abuse are issues that continue to plague communities. April is a month when advocates focus attention on the issue and the effort kicked off Wednesday at the Douglas County Government Center in Superior. It involved law enforcement, political leaders, educators, and those with the court system. The wide cross-section represented the message and the…

Feds: Chicago Drug Operation Preying On Duluth Area Busted

DULUTH, Minn. – A Chicago-based drug trafficking ring that’s been targeting the Duluth area has been broken up with eight members indicted by the feds, according to the United States Attorney’s Office District of Minnesota. The announcement was made Tuesday in Duluth by U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa, St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay and County…

Hibbing Drug Bust Ends With 3 Charged

HIBBING, Minn. — A drug bust in Hibbing has ended with three people charged. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said Jennifer Schostag, 48, of Anoka; Michael Peterson, 51, of Hibbing; and David Hoskins, 60, of Sandstone are charged with various first-degree sale and possession charges for methamphetamine and cocaine. The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force conducted the investigation…

Duluth Man Convicted Of Manslaughter, Domestic Assaults Arrested Again

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man convicted of second-degree manslaughter and two cases of domestic assault within 10 years is back in jail facing three new serious charges. Police said Kyham Lavon Dunn, 30, was arrested Friday as he entered the porch of a home where a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order was in place. According to court documents, Dunn…

Supporters of Missing Man Push Tribal Police to Ask FBI For Help

Protesters say Fond du Lac police should ask for outside help; Chief says he has "full confidence" in his department.

People frustrated about the search effort for a missing man gathered outside Duluth’s FBI office Friday. Ironically, the group was not protesting the FBI–but rather–pushing the Fond du Lac tribal police department. Friends and supporters of 31-year-old Peter Martin say they want the tribal police department to ask for the FBI’s help in finding him. Friday marked three weeks since…

30 Years Later: Musical Event To Honor Victims Of Duluth Triple Murder

The public event happens Thursday, March 28 at Zeigeist's Teatro Theatre

DULUTH, Minn. – Thursday, March 28, marks 30 years since a triple murder took the lives of three young men during a house party in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood. And Thursday evening, a live public musical storytelling will happen at Zeitgeist’s Teatro Theatre to talk about the history, the music, the lives, the loss and the healing since that 1994…

Criminal Charges Dropped Against Duluth Edison Teacher Accused of Sexual Assault of Student

His attorney said, "This matter underscores the importance of the presumption of innocence."

Duluth, MN–Criminal charges have been dropped against a Duluth Edison elementary school teacher who had been accused of sexually assaulting a female student. His attorney said the allegations “were fake” and that he “never sexually assaulted anyone.” John Paul Horgeshimer, age 49, had been charged after a female student at Duluth Edison Charter Schools’ Raleigh Academy told her teacher that…

25-Year-Old Duluth Man Charged With 2nd Degree Murder in Death of Girlfriend

Nine days earlier, the courts had issued a "No Contact" order to stay away from Allisa Vollan.

DULUTH, Minn. –Dale John Howard has been charged with murder in the death of the girlfriend he had been ordered to stay away from just nine days earlier. Howard, age 25, faces two felony counts in the death of Allisa Vollan, age 27. She was found dead in an apartment complex at 31 East 5th Street on Friday. Howard is…

Duluth Man Arrested for Nine Counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man has been arrested for nine counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material charges. The Duluth Police Department says they arrested the 44-year-old man on Thursday. Upon execution of the search warrant, police say multiple electronic devices containing images of child sexual abuse material were found. Authorities say the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit…

City Releases Statement On Downtown Safety After Alleged Sexual Assault In Skywalk

In the skywalk off the downtown Transportation Center, victim says it only stopped when other people were walking toward them.

DULUTH, Minn. — An alleged sexual assault in the Duluth Skywalk system has resulted in felony charges against a Duluth man. The report came in Sunday afternoon, March 10, when police responded to a report of a sexual assault at the downtown Duluth Transportation Center. The criminal charges became public Tuesday, March 19, when first reported by the Duluth News…

Second Man Charged in Connection With 2005 Theft of Ruby Slippers Worn in ‘The Wizard of Oz’

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A second man has been charged in connection with the 2005 theft of a pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz,” according to an indictment made public Sunday. Jerry Hal Saliterman, 76, of Crystal, Minnesota, was charged with theft of a major artwork and witness tampering. He did not…

Duluth Police Ask For Help Finding Taco John’s Armed Robbery Suspect

Robbery happened last weekend at West Duluth location.

UPDATE (March 15, 10:05 a.m.) — Duluth Police are now asking for the public’s help in finding the suspect involved in Sunday’s robbery at a Taco John’s in West Duluth. A description says the individual was wearing dark clothing, a dark winter coat with black fur around the hood, a mask, and sunglasses. Police say they did stop someone who…

Duluth Elementary School Teacher Charged With Criminal Sexual Assault of Female Student

Raleigh Edison Academy teacher arrested for allegedly assaulting female student

A Duluth elementary school teacher is facing felony charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a female student. John Paul Horgeshimer is a teacher at the Raleigh Edison Academy. He is charged with first and second degree criminal sexual conduct with a child under the age of 14. According to a criminal complaint, on March 5, the student was running to get…

Victim Identified In Fatal Morse Township House Fire

77-year-old woman was the only person inside the building.

MORSE TOWNSHIP, Minn. –UPDATE March 14, 2024 Authorities have now identified the person who died in a fire near Ely in February. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the victim was 77-year-old Carol Ann Lindbeck. A press release said Lindbeck was identified by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office. She was the owner of the home and the only person…

Woman Charged With Buying Guns Used In Minnesota Standoff That Killed 3 First Responders

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal authorities say a woman has been charged with illegally buying guns used in the killings of three Minnesota first responders in a standoff at a home in the Minneapolis suburb of Burnsville, where seven children were inside. Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, 40, were slain during the standoff. Their memorial…

Juvenile Questioned After Potential Gun Threat At Proctor High School

PROCTOR, Minn.  — A juvenile male is being questioned after Proctor High School went on lockdown Wednesday afternoon after a potential threat involving a weapon in the school’s Media Center, according to Proctor Police Chief Kent Gaidis. Authorities say 911 dispatch began getting calls around 4:30 p.m. about a “potential gun or weapon” at the school. Multiple agencies responded, including…

Family Freedom Center: Suspicious Person ‘Brandished’ Firearm To Teen

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are investigating after a person “brandished” a firearm near a playground of an after-school program. The Family Freedom Center said a “suspicious” person approached one of its teens with the firearm while outside with the Center’s dog. The incident happened around 2:45 p.m. March 7 on the 300-block of N. First Avenue West.  That address…

Missing Bigfork Teen Found Safe

UPDATE (March 12, 1:15 p.m.) — A 16-year-old girl who went missing from her house in Bigfork has been found safe. The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office canceled the alert for Alissa Plieseis on Tuesday afternoon. They thank everyone who assisted in locating her. ORIGINAL POST: BIGFORK, Minn. — Authorities are asking for help in finding a teen who is missing from…

Missing Person Identified, Found Dead Near Pattison Park in Superior

UPDATE (March 11, 11:50 a.m.) — The person who went missing and found dead 3 days later at Pattison Park in the Town of Superior has been identified. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says the person is 65-year-old Kim Creager from Washington County, Minnesota. Authorities say no foul play is suspected. ORIGINAL POST: SUPERIOR, Wis.– On Wednesday night, March 6, the…

Father Of Daughter Killed In Cloquet Hotel Shooting: ‘It’s Just The Randomness Of It’

CLOQUET, Minn. — The father of a young Cloquet hotel clerk, Shellby Trettel, 22, reacted Monday to a final investigative report involving the shooting death of his daughter and a guest at the Super 8 hotel this past January. Trettel’s father, Tim, spoke with FOX 21 Monday afternoon – not only about the final report, but how his family is…

Final Report Issued on Jan. 8 Killed at Cloquet Hotel

CLOQUET, Minn. — After two months of many unanswered questions, the Cloquet Police Department has released its final report on the Jan. 8 triple-fatal shooting at the Cloquet Super 8 hotel. Cloquet officials say there is zero evidence that suggests the killer, 32-year-old Nicholas Lenius, of Ramsey, Minnesota knew his two victims. Toxicology reports show Nicholas Lenius had meth in…

Cloquet Police: Meth in Super 8 Motel Shooter; Did Not Know Victims

At one time told co-worker he was dealing with "monsters."

Cloquet, Minn. — In what they describe as their “final” update Monday, the Cloquet Police Department said that the suspect behind the fatal shooting at the Super 8 Motel on January 9 had meth in his system at the time of the incident and was unknown to the victims. The two victims of the shooting were 22-year-old Shellby Trettel of…

Thousands Expected At Memorial Service For 3 Slain Minnesota First Responders

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Thousands of law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics are expected to pack a Minnesota church on Wednesday for a memorial service for three first responders who were gunned down while responding to a report of a domestic incident at a home with seven children inside. The Minneapolis suburb of Burnsville has been in mourning in the week and a…

Duluth Police Remember K-9 Luna Three Years Since Being Shot, Killed

DULUTH, Minn. – Three years ago Sunday, Duluth Police K-9 Luna was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The suspect, 37-year-old David Conwell, was hiding in a bedroom closet. K-9 Luna attempted to apprehend Conwell when he began shooting a shotgun at officers and fatally struck Luna. St. Louis County deputies would later shoot and kill Conwell after…

Superior Police Investigate Hit-And-Run

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior police are investigating a hit-and-run incident. Chief Paul Winterscheidt told FOX 21 officers responded around 8 p.m. Friday at 22nd avenue East and E Second Street, which is near the Super One plaza. Winterscheidt said the 38-year-old male driver from Duluth rear-ended an occupied vehicle before fleeing the scene, crashing through a residential fence and finally…

Drone Helps Find Missing Pine County Man

A new technology involving drones helped find the body of a missing Pine County man with dementia. The 86-year-old man was last seen near the Nemadji State Forest, which is a vast area over 92,000 acres. Earl Bakke is retired from law enforcement and started a drone business that helps to locate missing people. He reached out the Pine County…

Pistol, 2 KG Of Fentanyl, Cocaine Seized During Duluth Man’s Arrest

DULUTH, Minn. — A significant amount of cocaine, fentanyl and meth are off the streets of Duluth after investigators executed a search warrant on Monday. Diaunte Shields Diaunte Shield, 43, of Duluth was arrested on felony warrants for parole violations involving drugs and weapons. The arrest happened 5:40 a.m. Monday at Shield’s residence in the 4700-block of Matterhorn Drive. During…

2 officers, 1 first responder killed at the scene of a domestic call in Minnesota; suspect dead

A police vehicle with what appears to be bullet pockmarks on its windshield is parked near the scene where two police officers and a first responder were shot and killed Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in Burnsville, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)BURNSVILLE, Minn. (AP) — Two police officers and a first responder were shot and killed early Sunday and a third officer…