State Senator Nicole Mitchell Officially Resigns from Office Following Felony Burglary Conviction

(KNSI) – Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell has followed up on her promise to resign if convicted on felony burglary charges.

In a letter written to her constituents Friday, and a statement posted on her social media account, she confirmed she is stepping down effective today, July 25th, but added she “can’t do that without expressing my gratitude.” She thanked her family, friends and constituents “who shared the issues they care about & trusted me to work on their behalf. It’s been a true honor to serve MN & the community I grew up in.”

Mitchell was convicted July 18th in Becker County District Court of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools after a week-long trial that showed she lied to police about why she was in her stepmother’s home, and that the 911 call from Carol Mitchell was placed after she found the senator crawling on the floor of her bedroom. Court papers say Carol was afraid it was an intruder who was there to hurt her.

Mitchell was found with a crowbar and a flashlight in the waistband of her pants. She was dressed all in black and had broken in around 4:30 in the morning by gaining entry through a basement window. She initially said she was there to get some of her late father’s belongings, including his ashes, but later said she lied and was concerned about Carol due to her Alzheimer’s disease.

Mitchell will be sentenced September 10th. Guidelines call for a maximum of 20 years in prison, though with her clean criminal history, it’s unlikely she’ll receive that. State statute calls for a minimum sentence of six months in jail.

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