Three individuals have been charged in connection to a kidnapping earlier this week on St. Paul’s East Side, which authorities say is linked to a Mexican drug cartel. The suspects—Richar Sanchez Mujica, 30, Kendra Sue Johnson, 39, and Erling Soren Holdahl, 48—are facing charges related to the kidnapping, drug possession, and illegal firearm use.
The arrests followed a dramatic standoff in St. Paul on Tuesday, after an informant contacted police, alerting them that a victim was being held against his will and was set to be tortured and killed. According to court records, the tip came from an individual associated with the Mexican drug cartel, who provided information about the victim’s involvement with the cartel.
Mujica’s Arrest and Investigation
The investigation into Mujica began in December 2024, when authorities received information linking him to drug trafficking activities. Police were able to track his phone to the area of the 700 block of Payne Avenue between Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon. Authorities had already issued a warrant for Mujica’s arrest due to his failure to appear for a court hearing regarding a previous DWI charge.
Authorities received intelligence from a cooperating defendant connected to a Mexican drug organization, who informed them that the victim was being held for owing money to the cartel. The defendant allegedly helped Mujica acquire chains and weights to deal with the victim, who was believed to be in debt to the cartel. When police made a traffic stop near 10 a.m. Tuesday, they arrested Mujica, who admitted to owing money to the cartel and working for them.
Victim’s Account of the Kidnapping
According to the victim, he had been contacted by a friend who promised legal help for a pending drug case. The victim was led to the Payne Avenue property, where Johnson greeted him and took him to a man holding a rifle. After being assaulted by multiple people, the victim was handcuffed and confined to a chair, with a blanket placed over his face.
Mujica denied his involvement in the kidnapping but acknowledged being at the location. Johnson also denied being involved, claiming that a group of masked men had been present the night before, though no masks were seen in surveillance footage. Holdahl, the property owner, admitted to knowing about the debt to Mexico but claimed he wasn’t aware of the kidnapping, alleging he was being forced into financial trouble.
Court Appearances
The three suspects made their first court appearance on Friday morning. Mujica’s next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17, 2025. Holdahl will appear in court on January 31, and Johnson will face charges on February 4.
The investigation into the kidnapping and drug cartel connections remains ongoing, with more developments expected.
