A Twin Cities man has received a term topping 30 years for orchestrating a fake cop conspiracy that led to the murder of a robbery victim at a Minnesota horse ranch.
Fredy Saavedra Olivar, 41, of Northfield, was sentenced Wednesday in Isanti County District Court after jurors convicted him of two counts each of second-degree murder and first-degree burglary in connection with the killing on Dec. 13, 2023, of 42-year-old Jose De Jesus Diaz Fernandes at a ranch about 7 miles east of Princeton.
With credit for time in jail since his arrest, Saavedra Olivar is expected to serve the first 18¼ years of his term in prison and the balance on supervised release.
Also charged with the same counts for their alleged roles in the conspiracy are three men from St. Paul: Abraham A. Houle, 42; Jesse Mateo Rodrigues, 44; and Jerold A. Downs, 46. All remain in custody and have court appearances scheduled in the months ahead.
Prosecutors said Saavedra Olivar provided the men with a gun, drugs and the ranch’s address, then coordinated with them by phone moments before the crime and the subsequent shooting of Diaz Fernandes.
Four other people, including a 1-year-old, were in the ranch’s residence at the time.
“My heart goes out to Jose De Jesus Diaz Fernandes’ loved ones, and to all those who had to witness the crime orchestrated by Fredy Saavedra Olivar,” said a statement from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office prosecuted the case.
According to the complaints: