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Dec 10, 2024 | 
kstp.com | Ricky Campbell |Ricky Campbell KSTP
A Minnesota man who sold $21 million worth of stolen catalytic converters pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court. John C. Kotten, of Hutchinson, admitted to one count of conspiracy to transport stolen goods interstate after prosecutors say he spent two years buying, selling and transporting the stolen car parts. Kotten, along with others he worked with, sold $19 million worth of stolen catalytic converters to out-of-state buyers alone, according to prosecutors.
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Nov 27, 2024 | 
kstp.com | Ricky Campbell |Ricky Campbell KSTP
Two Minnesota men have pleaded guilty to federal crimes tied to a national catalytic converter theft ring. James Dillon Jensen and Soe Nye Moo reached a plea agreement with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, according to records filed in federal court this week. The duo was indicted last October for their role as “intermediary buyers” in an organized effort to cut, ship and sell stolen catalytic converters.
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Nov 14, 2024 | 
kstp.com | Ricky Campbell |Ricky Campbell KSTP
The Wisconsin police officer who was banned from substitute teaching in Minnesota after re-enacting the police killing of George Floyd in the classroom is no longer with the department. The Prescott City Council unanimously approved a separation agreement with Steven D. Williams earlier this week.
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Oct 29, 2024 | 
kstp.com | Ryan Raiche |Ricky Campbell KSTP
The integrity of the election remains a top concern for officials across the state with just days to go before ballots are cast and counted. But multiple incidents have already sparked outrage, planted seeds of doubt and opened the door to misinformation and conspiracy theories. Earlier this month in Edina, a photo went viral on social media that showed a car trunk full of boxes with completed absentee ballots.
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Oct 8, 2024 | 
kstp.com | Kyle Brown |Morgan Reddekopp |Ricky Campbell KSTP
Brooklyn Park’s public works director was on a city-funded trip when he was arrested on suspicion of sex crimes in Atlanta last month, according to records obtained by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. Daniel J. Ruiz is charged with rape, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment and battery in Fulton County, Georgia. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS previously reported Ruiz was arrested the morning of Sept. 8 at the Club Wyndham Atlanta hotel in connection with a reported sexual assault inside a hotel room.
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Sep 24, 2024 | 
kstp.com | Ricky Campbell |Eric Rasmussen |Ricky Campbell KSTP
Law enforcement agencies across Minnesota say they are ready to tap into a new resource meant to help victims of stolen cars and stolen car parts — a centralized database that records sales at scrap yards. The new system launched last month after lawmakers tried finding ways to reduce catalytic converter thefts. As 5 INVESTIGATES previously reported, the state attempted to launch a similar database a decade ago before the Legislature nixed the plan.
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Sep 17, 2024 | 
kstp.com | Ricky Campbell |Ricky Campbell KSTP
A three-person panel is considering whether to recommend punishment for an Anoka County judge who state officials say has shown a “pattern” of misconduct over internal hiring practices, holding court while on a road trip and ruling against juveniles and their families because of their immigration status or because they didn’t speak English. Judge John P.
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May 18, 2024 | 
wdio.com | Kenny Johnson |Ryan Raiche |Ricky Campbell KSTP
A plastic baby doll that looked like a real baby in distress is the reason Minneapolis police say they raided a Twin Cities home last spring without a warrant, according to a new lawsuit filed against the officers. MPD officers went to a home in Brooklyn Center to question two persons of interest in an ongoing homicide investigation. But records obtained by 5 INVESTIGATES now show that the officers weren’t even at the right home. Ring doorbell footage shows that as soon as they arrived, Sgt.
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May 17, 2024 | 
kstp.com | Ryan Raiche |Ricky Campbell KSTP
A plastic baby doll that looked like a real baby in distress is the reason Minneapolis police say they raided a Twin Cities home last spring without a warrant, according to a new lawsuit filed against the officers. MPD officers went to a home in Brooklyn Center to question two persons of interest in an ongoing homicide investigation. But records obtained by 5 INVESTIGATES now show that the officers weren’t even at the right home. Ring doorbell footage shows that as soon as they arrived, Sgt.
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Dec 20, 2023 | 
kstp.com | Erik Altmann |Eric Rasmussen |Ricky Campbell KSTP
Serial shoplifter arrested, then released on $500 bail despite multiple warrantsLaw enforcement is actively looking for a serial shoplifter around the Twin Cities after he was recently released from the Carver County jail on just $500 bail. Angelo Wagner Jr. had warrants in at least three counties when Minneapolis police arrested him on Thanksgiving, just days after Target alone blames Wagner for more than $125,000 in losses, according to police records.
