60-CR-21-1562 Filed in District Court

State of Minnesota
10/21/2021

State of Minnesota District Court
County of Polk 9th Judicial District
Prosecutor File No. F-21-344
Court File No. 60-CR-21-1562

State of Minnesota, COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, Warrant
vs.
VALENTIN MENDOZA IV    DOB: 03/15/2001
706 W. Zapata St.
Crystal City, TX 78839
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: Criminal Vehicular Homicide - Operate Motor Vehicle in Grossly Negligent Manner
Minnesota Statute: 609.2112.1(a)(1), with reference to:  609.2112.1(a)
Maximum Sentence: 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 06/17/2021
Control #(ICR#): 21320820
Charge Description: Valentin Mendoza, IV caused the death of a human being, not constituting murder or
manslaughter, as a result of operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner. More specifically,
on or about June 17, 2021, Valentin Mendoza, IV caused the death of D.L.P. as a result of operating a
Ford Ranger pickup truck in a grossly negligent manner in Polk County, Minnesota, by crossing over the
centerline of the road and driving head-on into a GMC Envoy at an excessive rate of speed while the
GMC Envoy was in its own lane of traffic.
COUNT II
Charge: Criminal Vehicular Homicide - Operate Motor Vehicle in Grossly Negligent Manner
Minnesota Statute: 609.2112.1(a)(1), with reference to:  609.2112.1(a)
Maximum Sentence: 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 06/17/2021
Control #(ICR#): 21320820
Charge Description: Valentin Mendoza, IV caused the death of a human being, not constituting murder or
manslaughter, as a result of operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner. More specifically,
on or about June 17, 2021, Valentin Mendoza, IV caused the death of E.D.C. as a result of operating a
Ford Ranger pickup truck in a grossly negligent manner in Polk County, Minnesota, by crossing over the
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 60-CR-21-1562 Filed in District Court
State of Minnesota
centerline of the road and driving head-on into a GMC Envoy at an excessive rate of speed while the
10/21/2021
GMC Envoy was in its own lane of traffic.

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 60-CR-21-1562 Filed in District Court
State of Minnesota
STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE 10/21/2021

 
Your complainant is a licensed peace officer with the Minnesota State Patrol (MSP), who has investigated,
reviewed reports, and/or received information regarding the following offenses:

On June 17, 2021, at approximately 3:08 p.m., East Grand Forks Police Department Officers Felicia
Znajda and other officers were dispatched to a two-vehicle head-on collision that occurred on State
Highway 220 approximately one mile north of Polk County Road 19 in Polk County, Minnesota. When
Officer Znajda arrived on the scene, she saw a red 2004 Ford Ranger pickup truck, bearing North Dakota
license plate number 077ASA, which had severe damage on the front driver’s side and was tipped over
onto the passenger’s side. Officer Znajda noted that the speedometer on the pickup truck was locked at 75
miles per hour even though the posted speed limit was 45 miles per hour. The driver of the pickup truck
was identified as Valentin Mendoza, IV (whose date of birth was March 15, 2001). At some point, Valentin
Mendoza, IV was able to climb out of the pickup truck, and he was transported to Altru Hospital in Grand
Forks, North Dakota.

Officer Znajda also saw a white 2007 GMC Envoy, bearing North Dakota license plate number 921CGK,
which had severe damage on the front driver’s side. Officer Znajda noted that the speedometer on the
Envoy was locked at 65 miles per hour. The driver of the Envoy was identified as E.D.C. (whose date of
birth was April 23, 2004), and the passenger in the Envoy was identified as D.L.P. (whose date of birth July
9, 2004). Officer Znajda noted that E.D.C. was bleeding from his eyes, nose, and mouth, had deep agonal
breathing, was unresponsive, and was pinned between the seat and dashboard. Officer Znajda also noted
that D.L.P. did not appear to be breathing. After they were extricated from the Envoy, E.D.C. and D.L.P.
were transported to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

MSP Trooper Gavinn Berg went to Altru Hospital and there spoke to Mandi Christianson, who was the
mother of Valentin Mendoza, IV. Ms. Christianson stated that Valentin Mendoza, IV was bipolar and had a
history of making suicidal comments; Valentin Mendoza, IV recently was released from prison; she was not
aware of Valentin Mendoza, IV making any suicidal comments since before he was incarcerated; she
received a telephone call earlier from Valentin Mendoza, IV’s girlfriend; and the girlfriend stated that she
received a snapchat from Valentin Mendoza, IV at 3:05 p.m. which showed him driving and stated he was
going to commit suicide.

MSP Trooper Adam Rochlin later analyzed the scene of the collision and concluded as follows: the Envoy
was traveling southbound on Highway 220 at the time of the collision; the pickup truck was traveling
northbound at the time of the collision; the roadway at the scene of the collision was straight and flat, was
marked with a yellow center line, and was dry blacktop free from defects or damage that could have
contributed to the collision; there were no tire or brake marks near the point of impact of the collision; and
the pickup truck crossed over the center line into the oncoming lane of traffic and struck the Envoy head-on.

On June 23, 2021, Trooper Rochlin learned that D.L.P. was removed from life support and eventually died
as a result of the injuries he suffered in the collision.

On June 29, 2021, MSP Trooper Cole Lundeen learned that E.D.C. died as a result of the injuries he
suffered in the collision.

According to MNCIS, Valentin Mendoza, IV was convicted for Speeding on March 13, 2019. According to
the North Dakota courts website, Valentin Mendoza, IV also was convicted for the following offenses:
Speeding on September 25, 2019; felony Conspiracy to Commit Robbery-With a Firearm or Dangerous
Weapon, felony Conspiracy to Commit Terrorizing, and misdemeanor Theft on February 24, 2020; and
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Parking Summons & Tickets on August 18, 2021. (Your complainant has learned that Valentin Mendoza, IV
10/21/2021
has a probation violation hearing pending in Grand Forks County, North Dakota, in which it is alleged that
he violated his probation for the following reasons: (1) he was in Minnesota without permission on June 17,
2021; (2) he possessed a firearm; (3) he admitted to drinking a few beers; and (4) he admitted to ingesting
marijuana.)

NOTICE: You hereby are notified that failure to appear for court when required to do so is a criminal offense
in the State of Minnesota, pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49. If you are charged with or have been convicted of
a felony offense, an intentional failure to appear for a court appearance is a felony offense, which is
punishable by one-half the statutory maximum term of imprisonment, fine, or both for the underlying crime
for which you fail to appear and is to be no less than 1 year and 1 day in prison, a $1,500 fine, or both,
pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49, subd. 1(a). If you are charged with a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor
offense, an intentional failure to appear for trial is a misdemeanor offense and may be punished by
imprisonment for up to 90 days in jail, $1,000 fine, or both, pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49, subd. 1.

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SIGNATURES AND APPROVALS 10/21/2021

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 Brad Norland Electronically Signed:

Lieutenant 10/21/2021 02:49 PM
242 125th Avenue NE Ramsey County,  Minnesota
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Badge: 370

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

Prosecuting Attorney Scott A. Buhler Electronically Signed:

First Assistant Polk County 10/21/2021 02:34 PM
Attorney
816 Marin Ave
Suite 254
Crookston, MN 56716-2148
(218) 281-4344

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 60-CR-21-1562 Filed in District Court
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FINDING OF PROBABLE CAUSE 10/21/2021
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 as directed in the Notice of Hearing before the
above-named court to answer this complaint.
IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR in response to this SUMMONS, a WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST shall be issued.

X 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 X Execute Nationwide Execute in Border States

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: October 21, 2021.

Judicial Officer Corey A Harbott Electronically Signed: 10/21/2021 03:08 PM

District Court Judge

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

COUNTY OF POLK
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 Warrant
vs. upon the Defendant herein named.
Signature of Authorized Service Agent:
Valentin Mendoza IV
Defendant

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 60-CR-21-1562 Filed in District Court
State of Minnesota
DEFENDANT FACT SHEET 10/21/2021

Name: Valentin Mendoza IV
DOB: 03/15/2001
Address: 706 W. Zapata St.
Crystal City, TX 78839

Alias Names/DOB:
SID:  
Height:
Weight:
Eye Color:
Hair Color:
Gender: MALE
Race:
Fingerprints Required per Statute: Yes
Fingerprint match to Criminal History Record: No
Driver's License #: 44604501   (TX)
Alcohol Concentration:

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 60-CR-21-1562 Filed in District Court
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STATUTE AND OFFENSE GRID 10/21/2021
Cnt Statute Offense Statute Nbrs and Descriptions Offense MOC GOC Controlling Case
Nbr Type Date(s) Level Agencies Numbers

1 Charge 6/17/2021 609.2112.1(a)(1) Felony J1911 N MNMHP0900 21320820

Criminal Vehicular Homicide - Operate
Motor Vehicle in Grossly Negligent
Manner
  Penalty 6/17/2021 609.2112.1(a) Felony J1911 N MNMHP0900 21320820
Criminal Vehicular Homicide - Penalty

2 Charge 6/17/2021 609.2112.1(a)(1) Felony J1911 N MNMHP0900 21320820

Criminal Vehicular Homicide - Operate
Motor Vehicle in Grossly Negligent
Manner
  Penalty 6/17/2021 609.2112.1(a) Felony J1911 N MNMHP0900 21320820
Criminal Vehicular Homicide - Penalty