St. Paul Man Accused of Stalking Employees at Burnsville Mortgage Business

One Twin Cities man faces felony charges after he allegedly mounted a protracted campaign of harassment and intimidation against the Burnsville branch of a Texas-based mortgage lender. 

Police say that Jerald Mitchell, a 51-year-old St. Paul man, threatened employees at a company he once worked for. According to the criminal complaint, in fall of 2012 Mitchell was hired as a subcontractor to "do work in connection with a loan that this mortgage company had issued a homeowner." The episode in question began with a dispute over compensation, but quickly escalated, necessitating intervention by Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, several high ranking members of the police department, and finally, the Dakota County Attorney's Office.

The confrontation between Mitchell and the business reached a crisis point on the week of May 20. That Monday the Burnsville Police Department was dispatched to a business located in the 400 block of Gateway Boulevard on report of an male suspect—Mitchell—who was "causing great fear in the employees." Mitchell believed that he was owed money, though he was repeatedly told by police that this was a civil matter and the courts needed to decide the issue.

Undeterred, Mitchell continued to harass the business, making multiple phone calls to both the Burnsville office and the company headquarters in Texas. On the following day, May 21, he drove into the parking lot and sat facing the front of the business with his headlights on. He was parked in an area that was not a parking stall. Employees told police that they'd moved away from their glass windows for fear that Mitchell would harm them. Ultimately, the office closed early that day due to the fact that so many employees were frightened.

Members of the BPD and other public officials took several steps to de-escalate the situation, including a meeting with the mayor which Mitchell chose not to attend.

On May 22, the BPD served him a harassment restraining order, barring him from any further contact with the business. According to the BPD, Mitchell immediately informed officers that he would sit across the street from the business he was just banned from. Previously, Mitchell had said that he was willing to die over this issue, or "would be dead before he didn't get his money," which hinted that he could be both a danger to the employees and that he was perhaps considering suicide by cop.

Mitchell is currently on federal probation. In 2009 he pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a mortgage brokerage scheme. He owes $940,000 in restitution as a result of the conviction. Mitchell allegedly told police that would not go back to prison and that he would die before it happened. 

He now faces three felony charges: One count of terroristic threats, and two counts of stalking. Each is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. 

Mitchell was booked into the Dakota County Jail on Friday. He remains in custody, held on $125K bond ($80,000 with conditions). His next court appearance is scheduled for June 17.