Charges: Man Conspired To Kill Boyfriend Of Ex-Girlfriend
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 26-year-old Kenyon man is accused of trying to hire another man to kill the new boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend, according to charges filed Wednesday by the Rice County Attorney's Office.
Jesse Allen Helgeson has been charged with conspiracy to commit premeditated first-degree murder in connection with the incident, which happened sometime between May 9 and Monday.
"This is something you see in the movies," Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn said. "And when you hear this happening in your own backyard, we want to do everything we can to protect citizens out there."
According to the complaint, Helgeson contacted an unnamed person via text message and wanted the new boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend killed. Helgeson and his ex-girlfriend had a child together, the complaint states. Helgeson told the person he wanted the new boyfriend killed because he had threatened him and the child.
Helgeson told the person he did not have any money to pay, but would give the person a golf cart and a four-wheeler, the complaint states.
"He stated he already lost a truck trying to hire somebody else to do this," Dunn said. "So we took this very seriously and tried to move as quickly as possible."
The person contacted police after Helgeson reached out. An undercover officer made contact with Helgeson and arranged for a meeting at the Flying J Truck stop in rural Northfield on Monday. That's where he was arrested and taken into custody.
The complaint also shows Helgeson is facing burglary and assault charges in connection with a incident in Mower County back in January. It states he broke into the home where his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend were sleeping, wearing a ski mask and beat the man with a flashlight.
If convicted, Helgeson faces up to 20 years in prison.
