Red Lake County (trfnews.i234.me) — A St. Paul woman faces two charges after prosecutors allege she knowingly made false accusations of police misconduct.
Mina Grace Turnbow, 40, is charged in Red Lake County District Court.
Turnbow faces one gross misdemeanor count of falsely reporting police misconduct involving an alleged criminal act.
She also faces a misdemeanor count involving an alleged noncriminal act.
Complaints Against Deputy Investigated
The case centers on complaints Turnbow previously made against a Red Lake County deputy.
According to the criminal complaint, Turnbow filed a misconduct complaint in November 2024.
That complaint accused the deputy of failing to properly assist her.
It also included allegations of misconduct and unprofessional behavior.
An internal investigation later determined the allegations were not sustained, according to prosecutors.
Turnbow was notified of that finding.
Second Complaint Alleged Criminal Conduct
Prosecutors say Turnbow filed another complaint on April 13, 2025.
That complaint accused the deputy of violating Minnesota law during an incident at Red Lake Falls High School.
Investigators reviewed surveillance video from the school.
The complaint says investigators concluded the deputy had not violated the law.
Turnbow later submitted the complaint to the Minnesota POST Board.
According to court documents, that complaint was also dismissed after video evidence was reviewed.
Additional Allegation Made In July
The complaint describes another confrontation on July 29, 2025.
Prosecutors say Turnbow called the sheriff’s office and became upset during the conversation.
She later went to the sheriff’s office and discussed her previous complaints with investigators.
During that meeting, Turnbow allegedly claimed the deputy had threatened the lives of her children.
Turnbow reportedly said she heard about the alleged threat from another person.
The complaint says she did not provide independent evidence supporting that allegation.
Prosecutors Allege Claims Were Knowingly False
Prosecutors allege Turnbow continued making accusations despite being told earlier investigations did not substantiate her claims.
They contend that conduct supports charges under Minnesota’s false-reporting law.
The complaint lists one gross misdemeanor charge and one misdemeanor charge.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Turnbow is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Readers can review Minnesota’s false reporting statute through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Minnesota court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
