Minnesota State Senator Denies Stealing After Being Charged With Burglary

The Minnesota State Capitol building, on June 20, 2020. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell has denied any wrongdoing after being arrested on Monday at a home in Detroit Lakes.

Police received a call around 4:45 a.m. and found Ms. Mitchell inside the home during their search. The Becker County Attorney’s Office has charged the Democrat with first-degree burglary following her arrest.

In a statement on Facebook, Ms. Mitchell denied stealing and explained that she was trying to check on a family member who was experiencing a “decline due to Alzheimer’s and associated paranoia.”

“Over the weekend, I learned of medical information which caused me grave concern and prompted me to check on that family member. I entered a home I have come and gone from countless times in the past 20 years, where my son even once had his own room.

“Unfortunately, I startled this close relative, exacerbating paranoia, and I was accused of stealing, which I absolutely deny,” she stated.

The senator also thanked her friends and colleagues of both parties for their words of support and “for trusting my character even before I had a chance to respond.”

“This has been a true tragedy for our family and my hope is it can return to being a private matter,” she said.

According to a complaint filed by the Becker County Attorney, Ms. Mitchell was found in the basement, dressed in all-black clothing and a black hat.

While being detained, Ms. Mitchell told the alleged victim, who appears to be her stepmother, “something to the effect of, ‘I was just trying to get a couple of my dad’s things because you wouldn’t talk to me anymore,’” according to the complaint.

She told the police that her stepmother had ceased all contact with her after an argument and that she wanted to retrieve sentimental items—such as pictures, ashes, and a flannel shirt—belonging to her late father but her stepmother refused to give them to her.

Police also found a backpack at the scene containing Ms. Mitchell’s Senate identification, her driver’s license, a cellphone, Tupperware, and two laptops. Ms. Mitchell claimed ownership of both laptops but one of them allegedly showed her stepmother’s name when switched on.

Ms. Mitchell later claimed that her stepmother had given her the laptop but the victim refuted this account.

Mounting Calls to Resign

Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, issued a statement urging Ms. Mitchell to resign from her position immediately.

“I understand the difficult situation her family is facing, however the actions taken by Sen. Mitchell are disturbing,” Mr. Johnson stated.

“This behavior is unbecoming of a member of the Legislature and she needs to resign from the Senate immediately,” he added.

Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus chairman Bryan Strawser said in a press release that the Minnesota Senate should take action to expel Ms. Mitchell from the body if she refuses to resign.

“Senator Mitchell serves in a position of public trust and appears to have committed a serious felony,” he stated. “Senator Mitchell must immediately resign her position in the Minnesota Senate.”

The senior vice president of The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, Rob Doar, said in the same press release that Ms. Mitchell’s felony charges “raise significant concerns about her ability to responsibly evaluate crucial public safety issues.”

“While we empathize with Senator Mitchell’s recent loss of her father, the rule of law must prevail,” he stated. “She clearly lacks the judgement needed to decide on matters that impact public well-being.”

Just a week before her arrest, Ms. Mitchell joined Moms Demand Actions on April 17 to advocate for reform and safer communities.

The event was also aimed at providing people with the mental health services they need to end gun violence in Minnesota, according to her post on social media platform X.