THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN – (trfnews.i234.me) – A Thief River Falls woman faces a felony charge after allegedly helping her son avoid arrest during a police encounter.
Judith Marie Jourdain, 71, is charged with aiding an offender to avoid arrest following an October 31, 2026, incident.
According to a criminal complaint, Jourdain allegedly allowed her son, Ricky Lee Jourdain, into a residence while police attempted to arrest him.
Officers later searched for Ricky Jourdain but were unable to locate him.
Officer Spots Man With Active Arrest Warrant
At approximately 10:28 a.m., a police officer observed Ricky Lee Jourdain sitting in the front yard of a Reserve Avenue residence.
The officer recognized Jourdain as someone with an active arrest warrant.
According to the complaint, the officer approached Jourdain and informed him about the outstanding warrant.
Jourdain reportedly shook his head no when confronted about the warrant.
He then began walking toward the residence despite the officer directing him to stop.
Mother Allegedly Allows Son Inside Home
As Ricky Jourdain approached the residence, his mother reportedly opened the door.
According to investigators, Judith Jourdain allowed her son to enter the home.
The officer attempted to follow him but was prevented from entering.
The complaint alleges Judith Jourdain became argumentative when the officer explained that her son had an active warrant.
Despite being informed twice about the warrant, she reportedly demanded that the officer produce one.
Investigators allege she also attempted to close the door on the officer several times.
Woman Demands Attorney and Questions Police
During the encounter, Judith Jourdain allegedly told the officer to release the door.
She also repeatedly requested to speak with her attorney.
According to the complaint, the disagreement continued as the officer attempted to explain the arrest warrant.
Jourdain reportedly complained that the officer could not hold her door open indefinitely without paying her heating bill.
A second officer eventually arrived to assist.
Back Door Found Open as Son Disappears
Shortly after the second officer arrived, another woman reportedly directed the first officer’s attention toward the back door.
The officer observed that the rear entrance was open and informed the other officer.
According to the complaint, the second officer entered the residence to locate Ricky Jourdain.
However, Ricky Jourdain was no longer inside.
The first officer then left the residence and searched the surrounding neighborhood.
Despite driving around the area, the officer was unable to find him.
The supplied report does not establish whether Ricky Jourdain was subsequently arrested.
Felony Charge Filed Against Mother
Following the incident, prosecutors charged Judith Marie Jourdain with felony aiding an offender to avoid arrest.
Under Minnesota Statute 609.495, knowingly helping a qualifying offender evade arrest can result in felony penalties.
The law provides a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both, under specified circumstances.
The supplied account does not explain the underlying offense connected to Ricky Jourdain’s warrant.
Additional details about the law are available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Case Moves Through Pennington County Court
The charge stems from the October 31 encounter in Thief River Falls.
The supplied report does not identify a court file number, hearing date, or current case disposition.
Public case information can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Judith Jourdain is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Choose your hometown and the stories you care about.
Get My Town Alerts →Trending Stories
Grygla Woman Charged After Dog Dies Inside VehicleNovember 9, 20262,372 views
Thief River Falls Casey’s Worker Faces Gun ChargesNovember 6, 20262,258 views
Mayville QB Matt Donovan Breathes on His Own for 16 HoursOctober 27, 20261,868 views
Park Rapids Woman Killed in Deer Creek Pickup CrashNovember 6, 20261,839 views
Hallock Woman Accused in $14,600 Pull-Tab TheftNovember 8, 20261,524 views
Related Stories
Thief River Falls Man Faces Felony Registration Charge
Thief River Falls Casey’s Worker Faces Gun Charges
Thief River Falls Court Report Lists 21 Cases
Thief River Falls Cocaine Case Ends in 4-Year Sentence
Thief River Falls Man Accused of DWI, False Identity
Thief River Falls Apartment Package Theft Reported
Thief River Falls Woman Cited After Domestic Assault Report
Thief River Falls DWI Stop: Badger Man Blows 0.13
