NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 10, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Wade Backstrom
218-726-2323 or backstromw@stlouiscountymn.gov
Travis James Paul Lukkar Sentenced
Court file #69HI-CR-23-475
Today in St. Louis County District Court, the Honorable Rachel C. Sullivan sentenced Travis James Paul Lukkar, 31, of Hibbing, to 146 months in prison for Murder in the 3rd Degree, announced St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki. Earlier this year, after a six-day trial, Mr. Lukkar was found guilty by a jury in the death of Ginae Jo Songer, 36, of Hibbing. Ms. Songer died on February 9, 2023, from the effects of fentanyl that was sold to her by Mr. Lukkar two days earlier.
“Mr. Lukkar’s sentence sends a clear message that those who sell dangerous drugs in our community will be held accountable,” said County Attorney Maki. “We offer our condolences the family and friends of Ms. Songer and hope this sentence will provide them a measure of peace and closure.”
The State’s motion requesting that Mr. Lukkar pay costs of prosecution in the amount of $17,956.88, which is the amount expended by St. Louis County to provide trial testimony by two expert witnesses from out-of-state, will be resolved at a future hearing.
The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office thanks Ms. Songer’s children, parents, friends, and family for their strength and support for each other during the three years this case was pending. The Office also thanks the Hibbing Police Department, the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, NMS Labs in Horsham, Pennsylvania, and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for their investigation and assistance in prosecuting this case.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorney Aaron P. Welch.
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