Posts tagged Kathryn Keena

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki re-sentenced; will serve 14 additional days in prison

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Sandra Grazzini-Rucki re-sentenced; will serve 14 additional days in prison

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki executed the remainder of her jail sentence at a court hearing this morning at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings, Minnesota. Grazzini-Rucki received credit for serving 226 days in jail and will serve the balance of her sentence – 14 days – at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee.

Grazzini-Rucki will remain on supervised release for an additional 4 1/2 months after she finishes her sentence.

The court hearing was momentarily delayed because Grazzini-Rucki refused to walk from the jail facility to the courtroom. She was placed in a wheelchair and transported to a holding cell near the courtroom.

Nearly 45 minutes after the hearing was scheduled to start, Grazzini-Rucki walked briskly into the courtroom smiling, without the assistance of a wheelchair.

Through her public defender, Scott Baker, Grazzini-Rucki claimed she suffered injuries during her transport from a jail in Florida to Minnesota. Grazzini-Rucki claimed she suffered a broken nose, a concussion, and injured her neck, and back. She also claimed she suffered a spinal cord injury.

Her attorney said he had no records to confirm Grazzini-Rucki’s claims. She requested to be immediately released from custody.

This request was denied, by Judge Terrence E. Conkel.

Assistant Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena said she had no information to validate Grazzini-Rucki’s claims of being injured while en route to Minnesota.

Keena said Grazzini-Rucki did not appear injured when she walked into the courtroom. She added that Grazzini-Rucki is prone to “exaggerating.”

Once Grazzini-Rucki entered the courtroom, the hearing lasted approximately 10 minutes. Grazzini-Rucki declined to make any statement to the court prior to being sentenced.

Unlike previous court hearings, Grazzini-Rucki had no supporters in the courtroom.
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Sandra Grazzini-Rucki scheduled to report to jail on Saturday

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Sandra Grazzini-Rucki scheduled to report to jail on Saturday

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki is scheduled to report to jail on Saturday – November 18 – the two year anniversary of the day her daughters were found after disappearing for 944 days.

On April 19, 2013, Samantha and Gianna Rucki disappeared during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents – Grazzini-Rucki and David Rucki.

The sisters were abducted by their mother near their home in Lakeville, Minnesota.

In July 2016, Grazzini-Rucki was found guilty on six counts of deprivation of parental rights for her role in the disappearance of her daughters. Grazzini-Rucki was sentenced in September 2016.

David Rucki was awarded full custody of all five of his children in November 2013, while two of his daughters remained missing.

On November 18, 2015, the girls were found living on a ranch in northern Minnesota by law enforcement, in a search lead by the Lakeville Police Department.

The Rucki sisters were reunited with their father days after they were found. They continue to live with their father and other siblings at the family’s home in Lakeville.

Grazzini-Rucki appealed her criminal conviction, but the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed her conviction last week.

According to the ruling from the Minnesota Court of Appeals, Grazzini-Rucki will be permitted to execute the remainder of her sentence, a point both Grazzini-Rucki’s public defender and the Dakota County Attorney’s Office agreed she should be allowed to do. Continue reading →

New probation violations to be filed against Evavold

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New probation violations to be filed against Evavold

Dede Evavold did not appear confident as she walked with her head down into the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings, Minnesota today for an evidentiary hearing on probation violations.

An hour later, a visibly agitated Evavold stormed out of the courtroom after the hearing was postponed at the request of Assistant Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena, who informed the court that new probation violations would be filed against Evavold.

Keena requested the hearing be postponed because Evavold is facing new criminal charges for violating an a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) granted by a court in Dakota County to protect David Rucki and his family from Evavold’s continued harassment, and because of alleged new probation violation committed by Evavold last evening.

Judge Karen Asphaug scheduled the next hearing for March 7, 2018, at 10:00 AM, where a determination will be made if Evavold has violated the conditions of her probation. Continue reading →

Doug and Gina Dahlen violated jail work release rules

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Doug and Gina Dahlen violated jail work release rules

During their brief time in jail for their role in the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville, Minnesota, Doug and Gina Dahlen repeatedly violated jail work release rules, based on documents obtained by Missing in Minnesota.

The repeated rule violations raise questions about the supervision the Dahlens received by jail staff, and if the clear violation of jail work release rules warrant further investigation by law enforcement and corrections officials in Minnesota.

Easy time in Traverse County

Doug and Gina Dahlen were released from the Traverse County Jail on Friday, June 2, after serving just 20 days in jail for their role in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki. The Dahlens were released after their attorneys successfully petitioned the court to allow the Dahlens to receive credit for good behavior in jail.

Judge Karen Asphaug permitted the Dahlens to participate in a work release program throughout the term of their sentence. Work release gives inmates leave from jail to maintain employment while serving their sentence. But strict rules exist for work release programs and vary by county and program.

The Traverse County Jail, located in Wheaton, Minnesota has specific guidelines which must be followed by inmates participating in the work release program.

Days prior to their release, attorneys for Doug and Gina Dahlen filed a motion to clarify their sentence requesting early release based on “good conduct.”

As part of this motion the attorneys obtained information from the Traverse County Jail regarding the Dahlens’ conduct while in custody. According to correspondence filed with the motion pleadings, the Dahlens were labeled “model inmates” by Brenda Bartz, the Traverse County Jail Administrator. This alleged statement by Bartz was the basis for the motion requesting early release by the Dahlens. Continue reading →

Doug and Gina Dahlen released from jail after serving only 20 days

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Doug and Gina Dahlen released from jail after serving only 20 days

Doug and Gina Dahlen were released from the Traverse County Jail this afternoon, after serving just 20 days in jail for their role in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki.

Samantha and Gianna’s father, David Rucki, released a statement yesterday in response to an order granting Doug and Gina Dahlen an early release from jail.

In his statement, David Rucki expressed his strong frustration that Doug and Gina Dahlen would serve only 20 days in jail:

“I am appalled at the decision to allow the Dahlens to be released from jail after serving only 20 days. During the 942 days my missing children were held by the Dahlens, they were denied access to any medical treatment and education.

The Dahlens robbed my children of their youth, their family, their friends, and their life. My children and family were victimized by the Dahlens and we are still working together as a family to fully recover from the pain and trauma they inflicted. 

Today’s decision to allow the Dahlens to stroll out of jail after serving only 20 days trivializes the severity of their crimes and the pain inflicted on my children and family.”

Doug and Gina Dahlen, pleaded guilty for their role in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki, and were later sentenced to one year in jail. The Dahlens’ full jail sentence was stayed, pending the successful completion of two-years probation and a jail sentence of 31 days. Continue reading →

Dahlens will be out of jail tomorrow; David Rucki ‘appalled’ by court’s decision

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Dahlens will be out of jail tomorrow; David Rucki ‘appalled’ by court’s decision

David Rucki released a statement today in response to an order granting Doug and Gina Dahlen an early release from jail after serving only 20 days for their involvement in the disappearance of his children for 944 days.

In his statement, David Rucki expressed his strong frustration that Doug and Gina Dahlen served only 20 days in jail:

“I am appalled at the decision to allow the Dahlens to be released from jail after serving only 20 days. During the 942 days my missing children were held by the Dahlens, they were denied access to any medical treatment and education.

The Dahlens robbed my children of their youth, their family, their friends, and their life. My children and family were victimized by the Dahlens and we are still working together as a family to fully recover from the pain and trauma they inflicted. 

Today’s decision to allow the Dahlens to stroll out of jail after serving only 20 days trivializes the severity of their crimes and the pain inflicted on my children and family.”

Doug and Gina Dahlen, pleaded guilty for their role in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki, and were later sentenced to one year in jail. The Dahlens’ full jail sentence was stayed, pending the successful completion of two-years probation and a jail sentence of 31 days. Continue reading →

Dahlens want out of jail after serving only 20 days

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Dahlens want out of jail after serving only 20 days

UPDATE: The Dahlens have been granted an early release from jail. We’ll have more information soon on Missing in Minnesota.

Doug and Gina Dahlen, who pleaded guilty for their role in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki, filed a request with Dakota County to be released from jail tomorrow, after serving only 20 days in jail.

On May 2, 2017, Doug and Gina Dahlen were each sentenced to one year in jail by Judge Karen Asphaug. The Dahlens’ full jail sentence was stayed, pending the successful completion of two-years probation, and after they served 31 days in jail – one day for each month the Rucki sisters were held at their ranch in Herman, Minnesota.

But in a motion filed yesterday with Dakota County, the Dahlens’ attorneys requested that Doug and Gina Dahlen be released from jail on Friday, June 2, 2017, after serving only 20 days of their 31 day sentence in jail.

The Dahlens are serving their jail sentence in Traverse County and according to public records, the Dahlens are currently scheduled to be released from jail on June 13, 2017. Continue reading →

Doug and Gina Dahlen sentenced to jail, probation for role in disappearance of Rucki sisters

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Doug and Gina Dahlen sentenced to jail, probation for role in disappearance of Rucki sisters

Doug and Gina Dahlen were each sentenced to one year in jail today at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings for their role in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki from Lakeville, Minnesota. The Dahlens’ full jail sentence was stayed, pending the successful completion of two-years probation.

They both will serve 31 days in jail – one day for each month the Rucki sisters were held at their ranch in Herman, Minnesota.

On April 19, 2013, the Rucki sisters disappeared during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and David Rucki.

The sisters were taken near their home in Lakeville by their mother in violation of a court order and were later driven to the Dahlen’s ranch in northern Minnesota by their mother, Grazzini-Rucki and her friend, Dede Evavold on April 21, 2013.

Doug and Gina Dahlen, who pleaded guilty in January, admitted in court they knew David Rucki had been awarded custody of his children and that they failed to contact to David Rucki or law enforcement that the missing Rucki kids were living on their ranch. The Dahlens had each been charged with six felony counts for their role in the disappearance of the Rucki sisters.

By pleading guilty to one count, the remaining counts against the Dahlens were dismissed. Doug and Gina Dahlen are scheduled to report to jail on May 16, 2017, at 9AM.  Continue reading →

For sale: infamous ranch where missing Lakeville sisters were held

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For sale: infamous ranch where missing Lakeville sisters were held

UPDATE: This post has been update to include the current sale price for the White Horse Ranch.

While they await sentencing for their role in the disappearance of two sisters from Lakeville, the owners of a rural ranch in northern Minnesota where the two missing sisters were held for over two years are selling the infamous property.

The White Horse Ranch, located in Herman, Minnesota is being sold by Doug and Gina Dahlen, who pleaded guilty in January for their involvement in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki. The sisters were taken by their mother near their home on the night of April 19, 2013, during a custody and divorce dispute involving their parents – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and David Rucki. Continue reading →

Evavold found guilty for her role in disappearance of Rucki sisters

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Evavold found guilty for her role in disappearance of Rucki sisters

Deirdre (Dede) Evavold was convicted this afternoon on six counts of deprivation of parental rights for her role in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki.

It took the jury at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings less than an hour to convict Evavold on all criminal counts she faced.

Evavold showed no emotion when the verdict was announced, but she later broke down and started crying when Judge Karen Asphaug remanded Evavold into immediate custody.

A Dakota County Sheriff’s Deputy needed to help Evavold stand, as she was visibly shaken and distraught. Evavold was removed from the courtroom and booked into jail in Hastings.

Evavold will remain in custody without bail until her sentencing hearing on November 10, 2016.

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Grazzini-Rucki sentenced to jail for role in disappearance of daughters

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Grazzini-Rucki sentenced to jail for role in disappearance of daughters

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was sentenced by Judge Karen Asphaug to serve 34 days in jail and for the following six years, she will serve 15 days in jail on November 18 for the next six years – the anniversary of the day her daughters were found, for her involvement in the disappearance of her two daughters for over two years.

Grazzini-Rucki, who was immediately taken into custody, will also be on probation for the next six years, and she is prohibited from having contact with any of the victims.

Grazzini-Rucki was found guilty in July on six counts of deprivation of parental rights related to the disappearance of her daughters, Samantha and Gianna Rucki. The sisters ran from their home on April 19, 2013, during a custody and divorce proceeding involving their parents. Continue reading →

Attorney: Grazzini-Rucki used donated ‘food stamp cards’ for bail

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Attorney: Grazzini-Rucki used donated ‘food stamp cards’ for bail

UPDATE: (8:00 PM, Monday, August 3, 2016) – When asked to comment on the statements from Gary Mogen, who posted the $50,000 bond for Grazzini-Rucki, MacDonald wrote: “it is what it is.” MacDonald added that as the bail bondsman, Mogen “is not concerned with how the cash is raised.”

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Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was able to post her $50,000 bail within hours of being convicted of six felonies for deprivation of parental rights, by using donated “food stamp cards” according to her attorney, Michelle MacDonald.

Grazzini-Rucki was found guilty last week on six felony counts of deprivation of parental rights related to the disappearance of her daughters, Samantha and Gianna Rucki. The sisters ran from their home on April 19, 2013, during a custody and divorce proceeding involving their Grazzini-Rucki and David Rucki. Continue reading →

Sandra Grazzini-Rucki found guilty of hiding children

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Sandra Grazzini-Rucki found guilty of hiding children

UPDATE (5:15 PM, Thursday, July 28, 2016): Sandra Grazzini-Rucki posted bail earlier this afternoon and was released from jail. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 21, 2016.

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Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was found guilty this morning on six counts of deprivation of parental rights related to the disappearance of her daughters, Samantha and Gianna Rucki. The sisters were taken near their home on April 19, 2013, during a custody and divorce proceeding involving their parents.

Grazzini-Rucki was found not guilty on two additional counts.

David Rucki, the girls’ father, was in the courtroom when the verdicts were announced. Grazzini-Rucki showed no emotion as each of the verdicts were read in the courtroom. Two supporters of Grazzini-Rucki were in the courtroom when the verdicts were announced, Michael Rhedin and Caroline Rice. Neither of them showed emotion when the verdicts were announced. Continue reading →