Jordan Carol Hanson sentenced to 15 years for murder in 2nd degree

Hanson receives 180-month sentence following March 2025 shooting death of Justin Esparza in Hallock

July 8, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) — Today, a Kittson County court sentenced Jordan Carol Hanson to 180 months in prison for her role in the March 13, 2025 shooting death of Justin Esparza in Hallock, Minnesota. On May 28, 2026, Hanson pleaded guilty to second-degree felony murder in Mr. Esparza’s death.

On March 13, 2025, while in Esparza’s home, Hanson shot and killed Esparza, using Esparza’s handgun. Hason fled the scene with Esparza’s truck and dog after the murder.

“As Hanson goes to prison for her role in his violent crime that took the life of Justin Esparza, my thoughts are with Mr. Esparza’s family and loved ones. I hope this sentence provides them with a sense that some measure of justice has been done,” Attorney General Ellison said. “I am proud of the continuously successful work of my office in helping county attorneys hold offenders accountable when they ask for our help. I’m grateful to Kittson County Attorney Robert Albrecht and his office for putting their trust in us, and for local law enforcement agencies and the BCA for their work in holding Hanson accountable.”

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.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Kittson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Hallock Police Department investigated this crime.