Democratic state Senator Nicole Mitchell of Minnesota is facing legal trouble after being charged with first-degree burglary following her arrest in Detroit Lakes early Monday morning. Mitchell, 49, a former meteorologist and lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2022 and is currently serving her first term.
The charges stem from an incident where police responded to a 911 call reporting a break-in at a residence around 4:45 a.m. Mitchell was found by authorities in the basement of the house, dressed in all black attire and a black hat, according to the complaint filed Tuesday.
Senator Nicole Mitchell (Credits: UPI)
She allegedly informed officers that the victim was her stepmother, who had cut off contact with her and her family following the death of Mitchell’s father. During her arrest, Mitchell reportedly explained that she was attempting to retrieve items belonging to her late father, including sentimental possessions such as pictures, a flannel shirt, and ashes.
She expressed regret, commenting, “clearly I’m not good at this,” as officers searched her backpack and discovered a laptop bearing her stepmother’s name.
Mitchell admitted to driving from the Twin Cities to the Detroit Lakes residence and gaining entry through a window. At the jail, she told an officer about a previous argument with her stepmother, which led to their estrangement.
In response to the charges, Mitchell posted on Facebook, stating that she was checking on a family member with Alzheimer’s when she was discovered in the residence. She attributed the incident to the challenges of dealing with a loved one’s decline due to Alzheimer’s-related paranoia, denying accusations of theft.
Nicole Mitchell (Credits: UPI)
State Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson expressed shock at the news, emphasizing the public’s expectation for legislators to uphold a high standard of conduct. He indicated that appropriate consequences would be expected, both legally and within Mitchell’s legislative role, as more information emerges.
Mitchell’s case highlights the difficulties surrounding personal and familial responsibilities faced by public officials, underscoring the need for accountability and transparency in their actions.
As the legal process reveals, Mitchell’s future in the legislature remains uncertain, subject to the outcomes of both the court proceedings and internal assessments of her conduct.
