83-CR-18-327 Filed in Fifth Judicial District Court

6/18/2018 04:30:10 PM
Watonwan County, MN

State of Minnesota District Court
County of Watonwan 5th Judicial District
Prosecutor File No. 18CR00001
Court File No. 83-CR-18-327

State of Minnesota, COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, Order of Detention
vs.
SCOTT FRANCIS ENGELBRECHT    DOB: 12/30/1958
1124 1st Ave S
St. James, MN 56081
Defendant.

The Complainant submits this complaint to the Court and states that there is probable cause to believe
Defendant committed the following offense(s):
COUNT I
Charge: Murder - 2nd Degree - With Intent-Not Premeditated
Minnesota Statute: 609.19.1(1), with reference to:  609.19.1
Maximum Sentence: 40 years in prison
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 06/16/2018
Control #(ICR#): 18201729
Charge Description: On June 16, 2018, in Watonwan County, Defendant Scott Francis Engelbrecht did
cause the death of a human being with intent to effect the death of that person or another, but without
premeditation, to-wit:  Defendant shot in the head and killed Rachel Elaine Linder (DOB:  08/07/1974).
COUNT II
Charge: Murder - 2nd Degree - With Intent-Not Premeditated
Minnesota Statute: 609.19.1(1), with reference to:  609.19.1
Maximum Sentence: 40 years in prison
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 06/16/2018
Control #(ICR#): 18201729
Charge Description: On June 16, 2018, in Watonwan County, Defendant Scott Francis Engelbrecht did
cause the death of a human being with intent to effect the death of that person or another, but without
premeditation, to-wit:  Defendant shot in the head and killed Joyce Ann Engelbrecht (DOB:  03/03/1951).
COUNT III
Charge: Assault-2nd Degree-Dangerous Weapon
Minnesota Statute: 609.222.1, with reference to:  609.222.1
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 83-CR-18-327 Filed in Fifth Judicial District Court
Maximum Sentence: 7 years in prison, a $14,000 fine, or both 6/18/2018 04:30:10 PM
Watonwan County, MN
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 06/16/2018
Control #(ICR#): 18201729
Charge Description: On or about June 16, 2018, within the County of Watonwan, Scott Francis
Engelbrecht did intentionally commit an act with intent to cause fear in another of immediate bodily harm
or death, using a dangerous weapon, to-wit: Defendant assaulted Dillion Paul Mathias (DOB:
12/15/1997) with a firearm.

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 83-CR-18-327 Filed in Fifth Judicial District Court
STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE 6/18/2018 04:30:10 PM
Watonwan County, MN

 
Your Complainant is a licensed peace officer employed by the St. James Police Department. In this
capacity your Complainant is aware of the following facts and believes them to be true and correct.

On June 16, 2018, at 5:41 p.m., St. James Police Officer Jonathan LeClaire responded to 1124 First
Avenue South in St. James, Watonwan County, on a report that someone had been shot. Upon arrival,
Officer LeClaire observed Defendant Scott Francis Engelbrecht (DOB: 12/30/1958) walking east through
the backyard of 1122 First Avenue South carrying a .22 caliber rifle. Officer LeClaire unholstered his
service weapon and ordered Defendant to drop his gun. Defendant leaned the gun against a tree, and
walked toward Officer LeClaire. Officer LeClaire asked Defendant what was going on and Defendant
made a statement to the effect of “I shot her” or “I did it.” Defendant was walking toward Officer LeClaire
with his hands and wrists together as though he was ready to be handcuffed. While Defendant was walking
toward Officer LeClaire, Dillion Paul Mathias (DOB: 12/15/1997) yelled from the porch of 1124 First
Avenue South that Defendant had shot Mathias’ grandmother. Officer LeClaire told Defendant to turn
around and put his hands behind his back. Before doing so, Defendant reached into his pocket and pulled
out several .22 caliber shells and put them on the driveway. He was arrested and put in Officer LeClaire’s
squad car.

Officer LeClaire walked into the house at 1124 First Avenue South and observed Joyce Ann Engelbrecht
(DOB: 03/03/1951) on the floor in the northwest corner of the house. She was lying on her left side, and
there was blood near her head. Officer LeClaire observed a hole in Joyce Engelbrecht’s forehead and
swelling around her right eye. She was breathing and appeared to be alert to what was happening around
her. She was transferred to the hospital shortly thereafter, listed in critical condition. She was declared
dead on June 17, 2018, at 2:01 p.m. 

Officer LeClaire spoke to Mathias. Around 5 p.m., Mathias ate dinner with his mother, Rachel Elaine Linder
(DOB: 08/07/1974), and Melvin James Engelbrecht (DOB: 04/23/1929). Defendant and Joyce Engelbrecht
were arguing because Defendant had forgotten their wedding anniversary this year and for the past several
years in a row. After he was done eating, Mathias went downstairs to watch TV. Shortly thereafter, he heard
a thud as if someone had fallen on the floor upstairs. He heard his mother, yell, “You shot her, you bastard!”
Mathias ran upstairs with a stun gun. When he arrived upstairs, he observed Defendant holding a .22
caliber rifle and pointing it toward the kitchen. Mathias yelled, “Hey!” at which point Defendant turned the
rifle on Mathias. Mathias attempted to use the stun gun on Defendant but was unsuccessful. He then told
Linder to run and not stop. Mathias ran to the basement, locked himself in the bathroom, and called 911.
When he came outside, he observed Officer LeClaire yelling at Defendant.

Officer LeClaire located Linder two houses away at 1120 First Avenue South. She was lying on the porch
and was deceased. There was blood on the ground near Linder’s head. According to the Ramsey County
medical examiner, she had suffered three bullet wounds: one in the back, one in the left forearm, and one in
the head. The head wound exhibited soot on the skin near the edge of the wound, indicating that the gun
was in very close proximity when it was discharged. 

Defendant gave several statements under Miranda. He did not deny shooting either victim. 

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49., intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled
court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may
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 83-CR-18-327 Filed in Fifth Judicial District Court
6/18/2018 04:30:10 PM
otherwise be issued by the Court. Watonwan County, MN

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 83-CR-18-327 Filed in Fifth Judicial District Court
SIGNATURES AND APPROVALS 6/18/2018 04:30:10 PM
Watonwan County, MN

Complainant requests that Defendant, subject to bail or conditions of release, be:
(1) arrested or that other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant's appearance in court; or
(2) detained, if already in custody, pending further proceedings; and that said Defendant otherwise
be dealt with according to law.
Complainant declares under penalty of perjury that everything stated in this document is true and
correct. Minn. Stat. § 358.116; Minn. R. Crim. P. 2.01, subds. 1, 2.

Complainant Rochelle Hanson Electronically Signed:

Assistant Chief 06/18/2018 04:09 PM
PO Box 70 Watonwan County,  Minnesota
St James, MN 56081-0070
Badge: 22

Being authorized to prosecute the offenses charged, I approve this complaint.

Prosecuting Attorney Stephen J. Lindee Electronically Signed:

Watonwan County Attorney 06/18/2018 04:03 PM
710 Second Avenue S
P.O. Box 518
St James, MN 56081
(507) 375-3373

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 83-CR-18-327 Filed in Fifth Judicial District Court
FINDING OF PROBABLE CAUSE 6/18/2018 04:30:10 PM
Watonwan County, MN
From the above sworn facts, and any supporting affidavits or supplemental sworn testimony, I, the Issuing Officer, have
determined that probable cause exists to support, subject to bail or conditions of release where applicable, Defendant’s arrest
or other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant’s appearance in court, or Defendant’s detention, if already in custody,
pending further proceedings. Defendant is therefore charged with the above-stated offense(s).

SUMMONS
THEREFORE YOU, THE DEFENDANT, ARE SUMMONED to appear on ________ ___, _____ at _____ AM/PM
before the above-named court at 710 2nd Ave S P.O. Box 518, St James, MN 56081 to answer this complaint.

IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR in response to this SUMMONS, a WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST shall be issued.

WARRANT
To the Sheriff of the above-named county; or other person authorized to execute this warrant: I order, in the name of the State
of Minnesota, that the Defendant be apprehended and arrested without delay and brought promptly before the court (if in
session), and if not, before a Judge or Judicial Officer of such court without unnecessary delay, and in any event not later than
36 hours after the arrest or as soon as such Judge or Judicial Officer is available to be dealt with according to law.

Execute in MN Only Execute Nationwide Execute in Border States

X ORDER OF DETENTION
Since the Defendant is already in custody, I order, subject to bail or conditions of release, that the Defendant continue to be
detained pending further proceedings.

Bail:  $
Conditions of Release:  

This complaint, duly subscribed and sworn to or signed under penalty of perjury, is issued by the undersigned Judicial Officer
as of the following date: June 18, 2018.

Judicial Officer Stephen J. Ferrazzano II Electronically Signed: 06/18/2018 04:28 PM

Judge of District Court

Sworn testimony has been given before the Judicial Officer by the following witnesses:
 

COUNTY OF WATONWAN
STATE OF MINNESOTA

State of Minnesota
Plaintiff LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER RETURN OF SERVICE
I hereby Certify and Return that I have served a copy of this Order of
vs. Detention upon the Defendant herein named.
Signature of Authorized Service Agent:
Scott Francis Engelbrecht
Defendant

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 83-CR-18-327 Filed in Fifth Judicial District Court
DEFENDANT FACT SHEET 6/18/2018 04:30:10 PM
Watonwan County, MN

Name: Scott Francis Engelbrecht
DOB: 12/30/1958
Address: 1124 1st Ave S
St. James, MN 56081

Alias Names/DOB:
SID: MN02418604
Height:
Weight:
Eye Color:
Hair Color:
Gender: MALE
Race:
Fingerprints Required per Statute: Yes
Fingerprint match to Criminal History Record: Yes
Driver's License #: S909152953418   (MN)
Alcohol Concentration:

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 83-CR-18-327 Filed in Fifth Judicial District Court
STATUTE AND OFFENSE GRID 6/18/2018 04:30:10 PM
Watonwan County, MN

Cnt Statute Offense Statute Nbrs and Descriptions Offense MOC GOC Controlling Case

Nbr Type Date(s) Level Agencies Numbers

1 Charge 6/16/2018 609.19.1(1) Felony H2011 N MN0830200 18201729

Murder - 2nd Degree - With Intent-Not
Premeditated
  Penalty 6/16/2018 609.19.1 Felony H2011 N MN0830200 18201729
Murder - 2nd Degree

2 Charge 6/16/2018 609.19.1(1) Felony H2011 N MN0830200 18201729

Murder - 2nd Degree - With Intent-Not
Premeditated
  Penalty 6/16/2018 609.19.1 Felony H2011 N MN0830200 18201729
Murder - 2nd Degree

3 Charge 6/16/2018 609.222.1 Felony A2411 N MN0830200 18201729

Assault-2nd Degree-Dangerous
Weapon
  Penalty 6/16/2018 609.222.1 Felony A2411 N MN0830200 18201729
Assault-2nd Degree-Dangerous
Weapon