DFL State Senator and former KSTP-TV meteorologist Nicole Mitchell is now charged with first degree burglary after burglarizing her stepmother's home in Detroit Lakes early Monday morning.
Mitchell makes her first court appearance at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday.
The criminal complaint says Mitchell was found in the basement of her stepmother's home just before 5:00 a.m. Monday wearing all black clothing and a black hat.
In a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon, Mitchell denied stealing and says she was checking on a loved one with Alzheimer's.
"Over the weekend, I learned of medical information which caused me grave concern and prompted my to check on that family member," she wrote. "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."
Investigators said Mitchell told them she was trying to retrieve some of her deceased dad's belongings including pictures, a flannel shirt, and ashes, adding that her stepmother wouldn't talk to Mitchell and other family members.
Two laptops, a cell phone, and identifying documents were found inside Mitchell's black backpack. One of those laptop's Mitchell said her stepmother gave to her, which the stepmother denied.
Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) released a statement Tuesday calling for her to step down.
"I understand the difficult situation her family is facing, however the actions taken by Sen. Mitchell are disturbing," says Johnson. "The complaint released by the Becker County Attorney lays out the case of a person who took extensive preparation to burglarize a family member’s home. This behavior is unbecoming of a member of the Legislature and she needs to resign from the Senate immediately."
Johnson's thoughts were echoed by Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann who also issued a statement calling for Mitchell to resign.
“The criminal charges against Senator Nicole Mitchell are severe and warrant her immediate resignation from the Minnesota Senate," says Hann. "The complaint released by the Becker County Attorney’s Office details Senator Mitchell’s extensive premeditation in committing this crime. Senator Mitchell must immediately resign from the Minnesota Senate to uphold the integrity of the office and maintain public trust.”
DFL Majority Leader Erin Murphy also said there are serious implications to Mitchell's actions.
"(The) behavior alleged is far outside the character she has established," said Murphy who added she has right to due process but faces difficult conversations.
Mitchell was arrested while the Senate is on its Passover break. Her arrest comes at an awkward time for Senate Democrats, who hold just a one-seat majority with four weeks left in the legislative session. Her absence would make it difficult to pass any legislation that lacks bipartisan support.
Mitchell worked as a meteorologist with the U.S. military and for KSTP-TV and Minnesota Public Radio before she was elected to the Senate in 2022 from a suburban St. Paul district. She still serves as lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, commanding a weather unit, her official profile says. She worked for The Weather Channel earlier in her career, her profile says.
Dispatchers received a 911 call at 4:45 a.m. from a homeowner about “an active burglary in process at her residence,” Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve Todd said in an interview with the Associated Press . Officers searched the home and arrested Mitchell, Todd said.
The police chief said he could provide few other details because the case was still under investigation. He said he was waiting to hear back from the county attorney’s office, and that a complaint detailing the allegations might not get filed until Tuesday.
Public records and an obituary posted by a Detroit Lakes funeral home show that Mitchell’s father, who died last month, and stepmother lived on the same block of the same road in Detroit Lakes as where the senator was arrested. The stepmother did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Mitchell’s arrest took Senate leaders by surprise. The Senate Democratic Caucus said in a statement that it’s “aware of the situation and has no comment pending further information.”
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, said he was shocked but knew very few details.
“The public expects Legislators to meet a high standard of conduct,” Johnson said in a statement. “As information comes out, we expect the consequences to meet the actions, both in the court of law, and in her role at the legislature.”
Most Popular
Comments / 0