After a man was found handcuffed and beaten in a St. Paul building, 11 people have been indicted by a federal grand jury on related drug trafficking and kidnapping conspiracy charges tied to a Mexican cartel, according to acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kilpatrick. The federal grand jury returned a fiv e-count indictment, alleging that beginning in July 2023 and through January 2025, the 11 people “conspired to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.” The indictment says they arranged for large quantities of methamphetamine to be delivered to the Twin Cities from Mexico by mail and driven by cars and trucks. Once the drug was in Minnesota, they broke the drug down into distributable quantities and sold it. This January, one of the individuals owed a source in Mexico a substantial amount of money, which they could not pay, according to the indictment. Four of those indicted lured the individual to a location in St. Paul where they beat him, chained him to a pole and held him against his will. During the kidnapping and beating, a leader in Mexico allegedly directed them with instructions such as “you are breaking his hands. Break them good.” “This case highlights the inherent danger that transnational drug cartels bring to our country,” Kirkpatrick said. “This mob-style violence has no place in America, it has no place in Minnesota, and those who engage in it will be charged federally.” The following people were indicted and made appearances in federal court: Richar Sanchez Mujica, 30, Minneapolis, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to kidnap and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Donovan Rey Lopez, 21, of Minneapolis was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Erling Soren Holdahl, 48, White Bear Lake, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to kidnap. Timothy Duane Ripley, 45, Maple Grove, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to kidnap. Kendra Sue Johnson, 39, Minneapolis, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to kidnap. Dostin Elizander Ortiz-Garcia, 29, of Burnsville, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Jonathan Salvador Juarez-Ferrer, 25, of Minneapolis, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Four other members of the conspiracy have not yet made their initial appearances. Related Articles Crime & Public Safety | Roseville police arrest 29 in retail theft blitz Crime & Public Safety | Spring Breakers beware: Thieves are sending your stolen phone to China. Here’s how you can prevent it Crime & Public Safety | ‘Her name is Darisha,’ sister of teen intentionally struck in Forest Lake says at killer’s sentencing Crime & Public Safety | New gun charges filed against the leader and 2 followers of cultlike Zizian group tied to killings Crime & Public Safety | Minnesota state senator resigns after he was charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution ...read more read less