2019 Stories in Review; What’s the Verdict? Part I

In this multi-part series, Alpha News will review the outcome of some of the crime stories it published in 2019.

Bill Oxford - Unsplash

In this multi-part series, Alpha News will review the outcome of some of the crime stories it published in 2019.

This story ran on May 5, 2019

Sentencing Guidelines: Is it Time for Change in Minnesota?

Trevon Xavier Miguel McMorris

(Trevon Xavier Miguel McMorris)

Summary: Trevon Xavier Miguel McMorris had over 40 driving related convictions when he was convicted on felony fleeing police in a motor vehicle in April 2019; however, those prior convictions weren’t taken into consideration when he was sentenced on the new crime. McMorris was sentenced to serve only the three days he’d already spent in jail and was released on probation by Hennepin County Judge Jay M. Quam.

In May 2019, just one month later, McMorris killed an innocent motorist, Jose Angel Madrid Salcido, while again attempting to flee from police in a motor vehicle in north Minneapolis.

McMorris was charged in that case with three felony counts including fleeing police in a motor vehicle that results in death, and two counts of first-degree narcotics involving the manufacture and sale of methamphetamine. 

Outcome: Under the terms of a plea agreement, the narcotics charges were dismissed and McMorris pleaded guilty to the fleeing charge. He was sentenced in September to 15 years in prison by Judge Kathryn L. Quaintance. Under Minnesota statute, offenders are only required to serve two-thirds of their sentence incarcerated. With credit for 151 days served in jail, McMorris is anticipated to be released from prison in May 2029 after serving just over nine-and-a-half years.

This story ran on May 14, 2019

“I’m an arsonist”: Alan Theodore Enger Charged with Arson, Again

(Alan Theodore Enger)

Summary: With over 25 convictions, four for arson, serial arsonist Alan Theodore Enger has terrorized areas of Minneapolis as far back as the 1980s. He was charged in his fifth arson case in May. 

Outcome: He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in July. However, despite Enger’s history, the felony sentence was stayed by Judge Martha Anne Holton Dimick. Enger served just 80 days in jail after being arrested and was released on probation.

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This story ran on May 24, 2019

Former Gang Member, Two Others Charged in Drive-By Shooting of Two Women

(Antonio Cortez Lewis)

Summary: ‘Former gang member’ Antonio Cortez Lewis was one of one of three defendants charged in a drive-by shooting that injured two women in Minneapolis in March.

Outcome: Lewis was convicted by a jury in October on one count of felon in possession of a firearm and acquitted on the drive-by shooting charge. Lewis was sentenced in December to 60 months in prison. Under Minnesota’s two-thirds rule and with credit for time served in jail since his arrest, Lewis is anticipated to be released in Sept. 2022 after serving 40 months. Co-defendant Jamar Rashad McLane pleaded guilty to felony counts of drive-by shooting and fleeing police and was sentenced to 78 months in prison. One count of felon in possession of a firearm was dismissed, and his sentence was ordered to be served concurrently with a separate felony narcotics conviction. McLane is anticipated to be released in July 2023. A drive-by shooting charge against the third defendant, Ciara Catrice Arnez Champion, was dismissed in December.

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This story ran on June 16, 2019

Minneapolis Man Charged in Two Counties for Spree of “Till Tap” Thefts

Jamie Terell Blevins

(Jamie Terell Blevins)

Summary: Jamie Terell Blevins was suspected in over 20 ‘til tap’ thefts that took place across the Twin Cities metro in May. He was eventually charged in Hennepin County with four counts of felony theft and one count of felony robbery, and in Anoka County he was charged with one count of felony theft related to the incidents.

Outcome: Blevens pleaded guilty in September, guilty in Hennepin County to one count of felony theft. The other robbery count and three theft counts were dismissed, and Blevins received a stay-of-execution on the felony sentence of one-year-and-a-day from Judge Tamara G. Garcia. Blevins was instead ordered to serve 30 days in the workhouse and was placed on probation for three years. In the Anoka County case, Blevins pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft and received a stay-of-imposition on the felony sentence from Judge Jenny Walker Jasper in October. Blevins was alternatively given credit for 115 days already served in jail and was placed on probation for a term of 5 years. Blevins was ordered to complete treatment in both cases.

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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.

Crime Watch MN

Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.