Final defendant sentenced to 27.5 years for his role in Isanti County home invasion homicide

Jessie Mateo Rodrigues sentenced to 330 months in prison for second-degree felony murder and first-degree burglary

July 17, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) — Today, an Isanti County court sentenced Jessie Mateo Rodrigues to a total of 330 months in prison for his role in the December 2023 murder of Jose De Jesus Diaz Fernandes during a burglary of a ranch in Spencer Brook Township, Minnesota. In March 2026, an Isanti County jury found Rodrigues guilty of felony murder in the second degree and burglary in the first degree. Codefendant Fredy Saavedra Olivar was previously convicted of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and first-degree burglary after a court trial. Codefendant Gerald “Jerold” Downs pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree murder, and codefendant Abraham Alexander Houle pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and aiding an offender.

On December 12-13, 2023, Olivar and Downs planned a fake police raid on the Spencer Brook Township ranch (a purported drug stash house). Olivar provided Downs with drugs, a gun, and the ranch’s address. Downs then recruited Houle and Rodrigues to commit the burglary. During the burglary, Downs, Houle, and Rodrigues dressed in law enforcement uniforms. Downs kicked in the front door. Rodrigues shot and killed Jose Fernandes. Houle drove Downs and Rodrigues away from the homicide scene.

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.”  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 county and city attorneys.

“The violence that took place in Spencer Brook Township in December 2023 was shocking, appalling, and completely senseless,” said Attorney General Ellison. “My office has been working closely with state and local law enforcement for well over a year to hold all the perpetrators accountable, and today’s sentencing completes that process. I’m grateful to all the law enforcement agencies that investigated this crime for their partnership and their work on behalf of the people of Minnesota. I hope this sends a message that, if you harm your fellow Minnesotans, you will be brought to justice.”

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, Saint Paul Police & VCET (comprised of officers from agencies across Ramsey County, which include: Ramsey County Sheriff, SPPD, Maplewood, Roseville, New Brighton, White Bear Lake, & Mounds View), and the Washington County Drug Task Force investigated these crimes.