Fredy Saavedra Olivar has been sentenced to over 30 years in prison following his conviction for the murder of Jose De Jesus Diaz Fernandes during a home invasion. The Isanti County court handed down a 25.5-year sentence for second-degree murder and an additional five years for first-degree burglary, resulting in a total sentence of 366 months.
The incident occurred between December 12-13, 2023, when Olivar hired three individuals to impersonate police officers and carry out a burglary at a ranch in Spencer Brook Township, believed to be a drug stash house. Olivar provided the men with necessary equipment and coordinated the crime by phone. During the burglary, Fernandes was shot and killed while four others, including a young child, were present.
Attorney General Keith Ellison's office prosecuted the case after Isanti County Attorney Jeff Edblad requested assistance under Minnesota Statutes Sec. 8.01. “My heart goes out to Jose De Jesus Diaz Fernandes’s loved ones, and to all those who had to witness the crime orchestrated by Fredy Saavedra Olivar,” said Ellison. “These are difficult and tragic circumstances for many, and I hope this conviction is able to bring solace to those who need it.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office.