State Senator Accused of Burglary

(RepublicanView.org) – A Minnesota state senator has denied burglary accusations after police found her in her stepmother’s home following a 911 call from a neighbor. Democrat Nicole Mitchell posted her explanation to Facebook and claimed she entered the house because she was concerned for the wellbeing of a relative suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Mitchell said the relative was paranoid because of the illness and that the relative told police the senator was stealing from her, which she vehemently denies.

The incident unfolded early on April 22 when Detroit Lakes Police responded to an active burglary call at around 3:45 a.m. Court documents state that when they reached the residence, officers found Ms. Mitchell dressed in black, wearing a black hat, and holding a torch with a sock over it. She also had a backpack with laptops, Tupperware, and documents, including her driving license and state legislature identification.

The court papers further note that Mitchell told responding officers she had wanted to retrieve her father’s ashes and some of his belongings. The senator’s father died recently, and she is reportedly estranged from her stepmother, who stopped speaking to her after her father’s death.

The former meteorologist, elected to the senate in 2022, was detained and charged with first-degree burglary. Her attorney, Bruce Ringstrom Jr., confirmed that his client was later released without bond but with a warning to stay away from her stepmother.

Colleagues at the Minnesota legislature said they were shocked to hear of the incident. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Johnson said that while he was not privy to the full details, he, like the American public, expects a high standard of conduct from lawmakers. Johnson called on Mitchell to resign.

The Senate Democratic Caucus issued a statement saying it is aware of the situation but would not comment further as investigations are ongoing.

In her Facebook post, Mitchell thanked Democrat colleagues for their support, and for “trusting my character even before I had a chance to respond.”