 Community Leaders Honored
The 12th Annual Hennepin County Attorney Community Leadership Awards honored community members who have made Hennepin County and Minnesota a safer place to live and work.
We have to transform the landscape
Suzanne Koepplinger, who received the award for her work as executive director of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center in Minneapolis, gave the keynote speech.
“We have to transform the landscape that says, ‘sexual violence is just part of the deal,’ ’’ she said. “We have to be bold and take risks.”
Police Chief Dolan, Hennepin County Administrator Johnson also honored
Also receiving the awards were recently retired Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan, who spoke about his 33 years in law enforcement, and Hennepin County Administrator Richard Johnson who will retire at the end of the year.
Christopher C. Hoskin and Shyia Bader, of Wells Fargo corporate security, were honored for their work in finding physical and photographic evidence of bank deposits that was critical in convicting more than a dozen defendants in a major drug case, described below.
Assistant Cook County Attorney Molly Hicken and John C. Lillie, III, were honored for helping save Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell’s life when he was shot in Grand Marais last year.
Finally, Hennepin County Attorney’s Office employee Kathe Flynn was honored for her pioneering work in victim/witness advocacy, especially with children, for the past 30 years.
Read more about the awards and watch the ceremony.
Record 30-year sentence for meth ring kingpin
Pedro Ayala-Leyva was sentenced to 30 years in prison, a state record for a drug crime.
“It’s good to give the ringleaders and kingpins the significant prison time they deserve,” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said. Ayala-Levy was associated with the La Familia Michoacana Mexican drug cartel.
Prosecutors argued for a significant upward departure and Hennepin County District Court Judge Regina Chu agreed, citing aggravating factors the jury found in the case.
“This is a perfect example of coordinated law enforcement and prosecutorial effort,” said Gregory Boosalis, division counsel for the FBI’s Minneapolis office. “The conviction and sentence is a major victory for the citizens of Minnesota.” Police and FBI investigators used wiretaps and surveillance to build the case and seized 16 pounds of meth, worth more than $500,000, and two handguns.
Obtaining Justice -
Recent Court Outcomes
Crystal Little League electronic stalker sentenced
Michael Hamer, who contacted several Crystal Little League players on Facebook, was sentenced to five years probation, 120 days in the workhouse, and sexual offender treatment on November 16th. He pleaded guilty to solicitation of a child to engage in sexual conduct in September.
Mothers of two of the 12 and 13-year-old ballplayers gave victim impact statements. They both told Judge Barnette that the children’s innocence was taken away, that they and their children have had trouble sleeping and the parents are scared to let their children engage in playing ball, swimming or other outdoor activities.
Prison for bank supervisor who stole $300,000
An Albertville woman who once supervised tellers at a small bank in the city of Hassan was sentenced to prison for stealing from her employer.
Kelly Jo Bistodeau, 53, was sentenced Nov. 29 to 366 days in prison for stealing more than $187,000 from the First National Bank of Elk River in Hassan. She pleaded guilty to aggravated forgery and eight counts of theft by swindle. |
