Two Wabasha County brothers pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Tuesday to their role in three violent home invasions, including one in Ellendale in September 2018.

Lennie Dwayne Brooks, 33, of Zumbro Falls and Randy Lorenzo Brooks, 24, of Wabasha each pleaded guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery in front of Senior Judge David S. Doty in Minneapolis.

Co-defendants Autumn Marie Nichols, 20, and Esperanza Cardenas, 29, pleaded guilty in May to aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery.

According to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office District of Minnesota, in each of the three home invasions, one of the brothers would hold the victims at gunpoint while the other brother searched for money and valuables. During one home invasion in Eden Prairie, one of the victims went into cardiac arrest and died, and the brothers did not call for help or allow the second victim to call for help.

Cardenas and Nichols drove a getaway car for one incident each.

“These criminals admitted to a string of violent home invasions that ended in the tragic and senseless loss of life,” said United States Attorney Erica MacDonald in the release. “Small business owners should never have to fear for their lives or the safety of their property, especially in their own homes. I commend the collaborative efforts of the many law enforcement agencies involved in this case that led to today’s guilty pleas. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to clearing the streets of violent criminals and ensuring the safety of all Minnesotans.”

The release stated the incidents were chargeable under the Hobbs Act, which was passed by Congress in 1946 and prohibits an actual or attempted robbery affecting interstate or foreign commerce “in any degree.”

The home invasion in Eden Prairie reportedly took place Oct. 6 at a private residence, and the defendants held two victims at gunpoint and stole approximately $50,000 in cash, which were business proceeds of the Shuang Hur Asian markets in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

On Sept. 23, the brothers broke into a residence in Ellendale, holding two victims at gunpoint, and stealing approximately $40,000 in cash, which were business proceeds of Holland Auction Co.

On Aug. 16, the brothers broke into a residence in Waite Park, held two victims at gunpoint and stole approximately $180,000 in jewelry and gemstones that belonged to Trisko Jewelry.

“We’re satisfied to see these men take responsibility for their actions,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives St. Paul Field Division. “The fear they instilled in the lives of small business owners was ruthless, excessive and intolerable. Hopefully, this guilty plea and future sentencing can bring closure to the families and communities affected.”

Howard said he was proud of the work completed during the investigation and of the partnerships with local law enforcement, including the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Steele County Sheriff’s Office and Albert Lea Police Department.

The brothers are in custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Office. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

 

See what happened last night in the PM report here.