Attorney General’s Office and Kittson County Attorney’s Office secure conviction for murder in the second degree

Jordan Carol Hanson pleads guilty following March 2025 shooting in Hallock

June 2, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has secured the conviction of Jordan Carol Hanson for second degree felony murder. Hanson pleaded guilty on May 28, 2026, following the shooting death of Justin Esparza on March 13, 2025.

On March 13, 2025, Hanson shot Justin Esparza in the head at his residence, using Esparza’s handgun. Hanson then left the scene with Esparza’s truck and dog before her arrest for the murder.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Hanson upon a referral from Kittson County Attorney Robert Albrecht 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.” The authority vested in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is primarily civil.  Aside from referrals submitted under section 8.01 and Medicaid fraud, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office does not have prosecuting authority over most criminal acts. That authority generally rests with city and county attorneys.

“My team and the Kittson County Attorney’s Office are holding Jordan Hanson accountable for the murder she committed in March of 2025,” said Attorney General Ellison. “One of my primary missions as Attorney General to help Minnesotans live in safety, and I will continue to partner with local law enforcement across our state to accomplish that mission. I’m grateful to the Kittson County Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Hallock Police Department, and members of my Criminal Division for their work bringing Hason to justice.”

Attorney General Ellison thanks the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Kittson County Sheriff’s Office and the Hallock Police Department, who assisted in the investigation and successful prosecution of this crime.