Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office announced on March 25 that Jessie Mateo Rodrigues was convicted of felony second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree burglary after a jury trial lasting more than three weeks. The convictions stem from a December 2023 incident involving the burglary and killing of Jose De Jesus Diaz Fernandes at a ranch in Spencer Brook Township, Minnesota.
The case is significant as it concludes the prosecutions related to the high-profile home invasion and homicide. Codefendant Fredy Saavedra Olivar was previously convicted for his role, while Abraham Alexander Houle and Gerald (also known as Jerold) Allen Downs pleaded guilty and were sentenced in 2025.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Rodrigues, along with two others, burglarized what authorities described as a purported drug stash house on December 12-13, 2023. During the break-in, Rodrigues shot and killed Fernandes before fleeing with his accomplices. The group then concealed evidence and misled police about their involvement.
Attorney General Ellison prosecuted Rodrigues following a referral from Isanti County Attorney Jeff Edblad under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01. This statute allows the Attorney General to appear in court for criminal cases upon request from county attorneys. Generally, prosecuting authority over most criminal acts rests with city or county attorneys rather than the state attorney general’s office.
“My team and I continue working to improve public safety by prosecuting dangerous individuals who harm their fellow Minnesotans,” said Attorney General Ellison. “Today’s conviction of Jessie Rodrigues marks the conclusion of the prosecutions stemming from the appalling 2023 burglary and homicide in Spencer Brook Township. I’m grateful to the law enforcement agencies that worked alongside my office to secure today’s conviction, and I will continue to do everything in my power to hold violent offenders accountable.”
Ellison also thanked several law enforcement agencies involved in investigating and prosecuting this crime: the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Isanti County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, East Central Drug and Violent Offenders Task Force, and Washington County Drug Task Force.
