Third defendant sentenced to nearly 25 years for role in Isanti County home invasion homicide

Abraham Houle sentenced to 297 months in prison for aiding and abetting burglary in the first-degree and aiding an offender after a second-degree murder

Third of four defendants Attorney General Ellison’s office has held accountable in December 2023 crime; one more awaiting trial

October 9, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) — Today, an Isanti County court sentenced Abraham Alexander Houle to a total of 297 months in prison for his role in the December 2023 burglary and murder of Jose De Jesus Diaz Fernandes on a ranch in Spencer Brook Township, Minnesota. On February 12, 2025, the court convicted co-defendant Fredy Saavedra Olivar of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and first-degree burglary after a trial, and on June 3, 2025, co-defendant Gerald “Jerold” Downs pled guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree murder. One remaining co-defendant is pending trial.

On December 12-13, 2023, Houle, Downs, and another individual burglarized a Spencer Brook Township ranch (a purported drug stash house). During the burglary, Downs kicked in the front door while a codefendant shot and killed Jose Fernandes. Houle then drove Downs and another codefendant away from the homicide scene. Houle also concealed evidence and lied to the police about the circumstances of the crimes.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Downs upon a referral from Isanti County Attorney Jeff Edblad under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01, which provides, “Upon request of the county attorney, the attorney general shall appear in court in such criminal cases as the attorney general deems proper.”

“I am glad justice has been done in this case, but nothing can ever return Mr. Fernandes to his loved ones, and it will take a long time for the Spencer Brook Township community to heal from this heinous act of violence,” said Attorney General Ellison. “I continue to be grateful to all those who helped bring the perpetrators of that violence to justice and thank Isanti County Attorney Jeff Edblad and his office for their trust and partnership. I will continue to do everything in my power to seek justice, uphold the rule of law, and defend the safety of Minnesotans.”

Attorney General Ellison thanks the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the East Central Drug and Violent Offenders Task Force, and the Washington County Drug Task Force for their hard work in investigating these crimes.