 Summer Safety
During the summer months, we are all out and about more often, which can lead to unsafe situations. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office encourages everyone who lives and works in the county to safely enjoy the warm weather.
Safety Tips
- Pay attention to your surroundings
- Keep an eye on your mobile phones, tablets and other valuables, especially while using public transportation or in crowded areas
- Secure your doors, windows and garage; don't open windows unless they are locked or pinned
- Lock your bike to stationary objects; wear lights and reflective clothing after dark
- Don't publicize vacation plans on social media
Always call 911 to report any suspicious behavior.
Summer Strong 2012
Summer Strong 2012 is an effort to inform
Minneapolis’ families and young people of resources to support a safe and
strong summer. You can find out about youth activities, safety resources, summer school and other useful information by calling United Way 211 or visiting www.mpls.k12.mn.us/summerstrong.
Hennepin County Curfew
In Hennepin County, there is a curfew for anyone under 18.
Help us keep Hennepin County safe by sharing information about curfew with the children and youth in your life. The curfew exists for their safety. It's the law, and it is enforced.
Civil Attorneys Help Lyndale Garden Center Blossom
Hennepin County and the Cornerstone Group have joined forces to rejuvenate the former Lyndale Garden Center.
“Although the criminal trials get most of the publicity, our civil folks do great work,” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said. “This development is really important for Richfield and I am very proud of the fine work of our civil division.”
Located at the intersection of 64th Street and Lyndale Avenue, Lyndale Gardens will serve as a focal point for trails that circle Richfield Lake, an amphitheater, gardens and easy access to the new transit stop located just across Lyndale Avenue.
In addition, the Civil Division worked with the development program to structure a $285,000 grant to develop the transit stop with express bus service to downtown Minneapolis. The grant also paid for new lighting and related demolition, site work and utilities installation.
Mishandling Hazardous Waste can be a Felony
Recently Hennepin County authorities charged the president of an electronics salvaging company with unlawful handling of hazardous wastes.
The Hennepin County Department of Environmental Services received a complaint about Curtis Weston Hilleren of Electronic Salvage Industries, LLC. During the investigation, Hilleren admitted to placing crushed glass from television sets and computer monitors into a roll-off box that was to be dumped at a landfill. Samples were found to have more than more than 22 times the state limit of lead. This is not the first time the county has found Hilleren improperly handling electronic waste.
It is illegal to discard electronics with cathode ray tubes in the trash because they contain a large amount of lead. If disposed of improperly, lead in the environment can pollute air and water, harm wildlife and pose a threat to human health, particularly the brain development of children.
“Hilleren ignored warnings and deliberately continued to pollute our environment,” said Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman. “All of us, and especially our grandchildren, cannot tolerate these crass acts of pollution.”
Grand Jury Clears Golden Valley Police Officer In Fatal Shooting
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office convened a grand jury to investigate an officer-involved shooting last year. Officer Robert Zarrett of the Golden Valley Police Department was cleared of charges in the Sept. 22, 2011 fatal shooting of Katherine Gordon on Interstate 394 in Minnetonka.
“This was a tragic event for Zarrett, Gordon and her family, and the community as a whole,” said Golden Valley Police Chief Stacy Carlson. “It does highlight the dangers police officers face every day. In this case, what started out as a possible speeding violation actually turned into a suspect threatening deadly force upon a police officer."
Obtaining Justice
Guilty Plea from Man who Attacked Hospital Lab Technician
A Minneapolis man who strangled a hospital lab technician pleaded guilty to second degree assault.
Timothy Marshall, 45, is likely to receive 55 months in prison, which would be an upward departure from the sentencing guidelines. His sentencing date is July 9.
On Oct. 28, a lab technician at Hennepin County Medical Center went into a restroom and was attacked from behind by Marshall who put her in a choke hold, pulled her to the floor and punched her in the head. Another person entered the bathroom and got Marshall to release the lab technician, according to the criminal complaint.
Shooter sentenced to 18 years after deputies force him from courtroom
Cory Donta Edwards, 29, was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison for attempted first degree murder in the shooting of a man last October.
After Hennepin County District Court Judge Marilyn Kaman told Edwards and his attorney that the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines recommend 220 months and she would not go lower, Edwards turned and walked from the podium towards the vacant defense table and was eventually removed from the court room by deputies.
Last month, a jury convicted Edwards on four counts, the most serious one being the attempted murder in the first degree while committing a robbery. Prosecutors asked for at least 220 months, noting that he was convicted of a murder as a juvenile and has other convictions for violence.
Former Hennepin County social worker guilty of sex with a client
A Maple Grove woman, who worked as a Hennepin County social worker, pleaded guilty to a count of criminal sexual conduct Tuesday for having sex with a client.
Shannon Kathleen Riley, 40, agreed to plead guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct; she will be sentenced June 4 by Hennepin County District Court Judge Daniel Moreno and is expected to receive a year and a day in prison and 10 years of supervised release.
Riley was fired from Hennepin County shortly after the allegations surfaced last year.
“This kind of conduct upon a person entrusted to her care is simply unacceptable,” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said. “We expect more from our public employees, especially those entrusted with the treatment and care of our vulnerable adults. When they violate the public trust, they must pay a serious price.”
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