The case began to unravel on Jan. 7 after law enforcement received a tip from a cooperating source within the drug organization, indicating that a victim was being held against his will and provided specific details about the suspects’ involvement. Officers tracked Mujica’s location through his cell phone, which placed him near a Payne Avenue residence in Saint Paul.
Later that morning, Mujica was observed entering a Chrysler minivan in Minneapolis. Officers eventually initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle at Phalen Boulevard near the Edgerton Street Bridge in Saint Paul. During the stop, officers found a bag of methamphetamine in Mujica’s pocket and a stolen Walther 9mm handgun in the van, along with ammunition. The gun was located in the stow-and-go seating area, where Mujica was seen manipulating an object prior to being detained, according to charging documents.
When questioned, Mujica admitted to being involved in the cartel’s debt collection operations and revealed that he had been at the Payne Avenue location earlier that morning. He allowed officers to examine his phone, which contained messages and photographs related to the incident. One image showed a man restrained with chains and handcuffs, and the photo had been sent to a contact in Mexico. Audio recordings also captured Mujica discussing the victim’s captivity.
Based on the information gathered during the traffic stop, a SWAT team forced entry at the Payne Avenue property later that afternoon. Officers breached the building and found the victim in the basement, shoeless and with a handcuff still attached to his wrist. He was transported to a hospital with injuries including swelling to his hand and loose teeth.
Two additional suspects, Holdahl and Johnson, were arrested at the scene. Johnson was found in possession of methamphetamine and further searches uncovered additional drugs, firearms and ammo on the property and in vehicles connected to the suspects.
The criminal complaints filed in court allege that Mujica was acting as an enforcer for the cartel organization, tasked with collecting debts. Johnson and Holdahl, both with extensive criminal histories themselves, are accused of aiding in the confinement and the assault of the victim.
Charges against the trio include kidnapping for ransom, first-degree assault and drug possession. If convicted, each suspect faces up to 40 years of prison time on the most serious charge.
> See more of our latest coverage