Mike Freeman

The perfect victim: Exploitation and threat of deportation

A retail custodian sexually assaulted by her boss fights back despite her immigration status

Scott Lipe charged with murder nearly six years after incident outside Mortimer's Bar

In the midst of serving a 10-year sentence for assault, 36-year-old Scott Lipe recently received some bad news: He's being charged with second-degree murder in connection with the same incident that landed him behind bars in the first place.SEE ALSO: Jacob Engler, 21, steals car in Minnesota, drives ... More >>

Three gang members charged after year-long crime spree

Over the past year, officers began seeing similarities in a string of assaults and burglaries in which thieves netted computers and guns.Now, Hennepin County has charged three members of the Loud Pack gang -- Dementry Loyd, 19, along with Montrelle Collins, 20 and Marlon Collins, 21 -- with the crim ... More >>

Rochelle Inselman, ex-girlfriend from hell, facing 40 years in prison for murder

Rochelle Inselman, a 39-year-old Eden Valley woman who killed her ex-boyfriend two days before Valentine's Day earlier this year, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last week and will be sentenced to 40 years in prison tomorrow.SEE ALSO: Clinton Corry went berserk when ex-girlfriend blocked him ... More >>

Pedro Ayala-Leyva gets record 30-year sentence for smuggling meth from California

On Tuesday, Hennepin County Judge Regina Chu doled out a record sentence for a Minnesota drug crime and sentenced Pedro "Peli" Ayala-Leyva to 30 years in prison for his role in a large methamphetamine operation.Peli, 37, was found guilty in October of conspiracy to traffic drugs. State sentencing gu ... More >>

11th-hour surprise: Voter ID, marriage amendments both set to fail, says latest polling

Voter ID has looked like a sure bet to be approved since it first became clear the amendment would be on this year's ballot -- until this weekend.MORE VOTER ID COVERAGE:-- Minnesota Majority wants you to follow buses leaving polling places on election day-- Majority of MN college students favor vote ... More >>

Duane Clark buried a baby in his backyard

But authorities say no crime was committed

Gay 90's shooter: Someone randomly threw me a gun, I picked it up and ran

The Hennepin County Attorney's office has charged two men in connection with the Monday morning post-bar close shooting outside the Gay 90's that left three patrons and one suspect with gunshot injuries.Don Austin, 20, described by police as "a stocky black male," faces three felony counts of aiding ... More >>

Derek Boogaard received more than 100 prescriptions before death

Derek Boogaard, the former Wild player whose death made him a poster boy for anti-enforcer sentiment, received more than 100 prescriptions for various pills from NHL team doctors in the years before his death. That's perhaps the most alarming finding in a New York Times report out today that gives ... More >>

Amy Senser received special treatment from justice system, report says

Amy Senser received special treatment from the criminal justice system when she killed True Thai chef Anousone Phanthavong last August, according to a report published by the Pioneer Press. Senser killed Phanthavong last August, failed to report herself to law enforcement as the driver of the vehi ... More >>

Amy Senser opening statements: Senser will testify during trial

Amy Senser will testify during her trial on criminal vehicular homicide charges, her defense attorney revealed during opening statements. Prosecutor Deborah Russell and defense attorney Eric Nelson kept their opening arguments brief this afternoon, with each side presenting a bare outline of their ... More >>

Anousone Phanthavong family remembers chef ahead of Amy Senser trial

For Anousone Phanthavong's parents, justice will come once they reach the "peace of mind that their son just didn't die like roadkill on the street." Cindi Phanthavong, Anousone's niece, spoke to reporters this afternoon about her dead uncle, who she described as a quiet, "hard-working man" who wo ... More >>

William Jacobs sentenced to 18 years in prison for child molestation

The next time William Jacobs is a free man, he could be well into his 80s. Jacobs, a former Minneapolis Parks Police chief and teacher, was sentenced to 18 years in prison Monday for child molestation and possession of child pornography. And when he is released, he'll serve another 10 years of p ... More >>

Civil commitment leaves Hennepin County offenders languishing

Mentally ill inmates wait months for evaluation, treatment

Amy Senser should stand trial in Hennepin County, prosecutors argue

​Amy Senser's trial approaches April 23, but before a jury can be seated the Hennepin County judge overseeing the case must determine whether Senser can get a fair trial in Minneapolis. Senser's attorney Eric Nelson requested a change of venue to Kandiyohi County earlier this month on the grounds ... More >>

Little Joe Gustafson guilty on racketeering charges

Duane "Little Joe" Gustafson was found guilty on a dozen charges yesterday in Hennepin County. Prosecutors says Gustafson is second-in-command of the "Beat-down Posse," a violent and notorious gang that terrorized the North Side. Charges against Gustafson include: racketeering, terroristic threats, ... More >>

Amy Senser trial will happen in Hennepin County

​Amy Senser's trial will not be moving to Kandiyohi County. Hennepin County Judge Daniel H. Mabley denied Senser's request to have her trial moved from Minneapolis to Kandiyohi County. Senser stands charged with criminal vehicular homicide for running True Thai chef Anousone Phanthavong over off ... More >>

Chris Cook trial begins today

​Cornerback Chris Cook was the Vikings' second-round draft pick in 2010. After struggling as a rookie, Cook had his 2011 season off to a solid start through the first month of action.But his football career came to an abrupt halt last October 22 after his girlfriend called police from Cook's Eden ... More >>

Chris LaRiche seduces immigrants with lies

He offered empty promises but had secrets of his own

Octavia Marberry charged, Good Samaritan free in vigilante justice killing

Octavia Marberry is facing two felonies for her role in the muggings.​The Minneapolis Good Samaritan who caught Darren Evanocich in the act of mugging a woman and eventually shot and killed Evanovich will not be charged. That's not the case for Evanvovich's sister, Octavia Marberry. This afternoon ... More >>

Amy Senser hit-and-run charges coming today [UPDATE]

Amy Senser will face charges from the Hennepin County Attorney today.​Amy Senser has had a few weeks to walk around free since admitting that she was the driver of the Mercedes SUV that killed Anousone Phanthavong. Now, after weeks of outcry over Senser's not being arrested or charged with a crim ... More >>

Metro Gang Strike Force gets off scot free

Photo: benleto.Hennepin County also declined to file anymore charges last year.​After years of controversy, the saga of Minnesota's scandal-riddled gang-combating task force is about to come to an anti-climactic finish. The U.S. Department of Justice has declined to level anymore federal char ... More >>

Timothy Bakdash says he ran over pedestrians on purpose

​Timothy Ayman Bakdash is going to be charged with second degree murder this morning in the wake of a hit-and-run incident more than a week ago in Dinkytown that fatally wounded Benjamin Van Handel, a U of M student. The criminal complaint alleges that Bakdash, of Roseville, had been drinking ... More >>

Little Joe Gustafson charged with 14 counts, racketeering

Little Joe Gustafson, leader of the Beat Down Posse, was booked into jail this morning​Joseph Duane "Little Joe" Gustafson, a North Minneapolis man who terrorized his neighborhood for years, is being charged today with 14 felony counts: racketeering, assault, making terroristic threats, kidnap ... More >>

Minnesota Majority urges volunteers to flout the law

Watch out for people wearing buttons--they're breaking the law. ​Minnesota Majority is urging supporters to commit civil disobedience by wearing their "Please ID Me" buttons at the polls today. A federal judge banned the buttons Monday, but the conservative group told followers to go ahead and ... More >>

Biber's teen sex charge leaves colleagues "confused and disturbed"

Minneapolis business attorney Aaron Biber is due to be arraigned in Hennepin County court today on charges that he had sex with a 14-year-old boy.

Domestic Abuse Service Center faces deep cuts

A vital service for domestic violence survivors sees its budget gutted

Kelley next among DFL trio to announce his LG

Try, Try Again

The courts are determined to make a 10-year-old murder charge stick

He's Sorry

Former gang prosecution snitch Johnny Edwards recants--sort of

City Pages on Election Night

Party Crashers

The DFL in disarray, three mayoral candidates make a play for the Green Party endorsement

Ted’s Excellent Adventure

Ted Mondale thought he could sweet-talk the 'burbs into building their share of affordable housing-- but Eagan told him to get lost.

Here We Go A-Caucusing

A few days at the races with St. Paul mayoral candidate Jay Benanav

Snitch Botch

When police informant Johnny Edwards sang, men went to prison. Now his tune is coming back to haunt the courts.

Snitch Glitch

Has Johnny "Walk on Water" Edwards finally met his match?

One More Time

They say people who fish and farm can't elect a governor anymore. Tell that to Doug Johnson

Playing With Fire

Even as they began sifting through the cinders in 1994, police figured they knew who set the Phillips apartment fire that nearly killed two little girls. But arson has a way of destroying all the evidence.

Tag Team

Defense attorneys say Minneapolis's crackdown on graffiti artists is a waste of time and money for a court system that's already stretched thin.

The Player

From West Bank radical to White House insider, he's remained the most powerful man you've never heard of.

Road Kill

Their cars were moving when James Lundquist and William Anderson opened fire on strangers. But was anyone at the wheel?

Get Out of Jail Free

In drug- or gang-related cases, one of the favorite weapons of prosecutors is confidential informants like Johnny Edwards. Trouble is, a lot of them will say anything to get themselves out of the hot seat--and continue committing crimes while they're turn

OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

Operation Safe Streets

The Trials of David Lillehaug

In the wake of Najarian and Shabazz, the U.S. attorney and former DFL prodigy finds his once-bright political future in question.