State of Minnesota District Court

 

County of Norman 9th Judicial District
Prosecutor File No. 17-112
Court File No. 54-CR-17-185
State of Minnesota, COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, Order of Detention

VS.
MONALISA PEREZ 

Halslad, MN 56548
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: Manslaughter in the Second Degree
Minnesota Statute: 609.205")
Maximum Sentence. imprisonment for not more than ten years or to payment of a fine of not more than

$20,000, or both
Offense Level: Felony

Offense Date (on or about): 06/26/2017
Control 17001414

Charge Description: On or about June 26, 2017 in Norman County the defendant caused the death of
another by the person's culpable negligence whereby the person created an unreasonable risk, and
consciously takes chances of causing death or great bodily harm to another.

54-CR-17-185

STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE

Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court
6/28/2017 09:15:13 AM
Norman County, MN

 

On June 26, 2017 at approximately 6:30pm the Norman County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from
Monalisa Perez. Monalisa Perez reported that her and her boyfriend, later identified as Pedro Ruiz III, were
making a YouTube video and she accidentally shot him in the chest. Perez reported that the incident took
place at 549 US Hwy 75 in Norman County. The Norman County Sheriff’s Office, Halstad Rescue, the Ada
Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension responded.
When medical personnel arrived on the scene they located Pedro Ruiz III. Pedro Ruiz III had a single
gunshot wound to his chest. Medical personnel attempted to perform life saving measures.    
Norman County Deputy Cory Welz arrived on the scene and members of the Halstad Rescue Team pointed
out to him the area where the gun was located. Deputy Welz located a gold Desert Eagle .50 caliber pistol
on the grass near the house and secured the firearm.
Norman County Deputy Chris Lee approached Monalisa Perez. Perez reported that Pedro Ruiz III wanted
to make a YouTube video of her shooting a book and he believed that the book would stop the bullet.
Monalisa Perez pointed out cameras and stated that the entire incident was recorded. At that time Deputy
Lee took the two cameras and gave them to Deputy Welz to secure as evidence.
Medical personnel informed Deputy Lee that Pedro Ruiz III was declared dead at the scene and Deputy
Lee informed Monalisa Perez. Monalisa Perez then stated that Pedro Ruiz III had been trying to get her to
shoot the book while he held it for a YouTube video for awhile. Pedro Ruiz III set up the GoPro on the back
of a vehicle and the other camera on a ladder nearby. Monalisa Perez reported that eventually Pedro Ruiz
III convinced her to shoot the book. Pedro Ruiz III had shown her a different book that he had shot and the
bullet did not go all the way through. Perez stated that she shot from about a foot away while Pedro Ruiz III
held the book to his chest.  Monalisa Perez described the firearm that she used and it matched the .50
caliber Desert Eagle located on the scene. 
 
 

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 54-CR-17-185

SIGNATURES AND APPROVALS

Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court
6/28/2017 09:15:13 AM
Norman County, MN

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

Jeremy Thornton
Sheriff
15 2nd Ave E
Ada, MN 56510
Badge: 301

Electronically Signed:
06/28/2017 08:58 AM
Norman County,  Minnesota

Being authorized to prosecute the offenses charged, I approve this complaint.
Prosecuting Attorney James Brue
Norman County Attorney
17 East 4th Ave.
Ada, MN 56510
(218) 784-7188

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Electronically Signed:
06/27/2017 10:01 PM

 54-CR-17-185

FINDING OF PROBABLE CAUSE

Filed in Ninth Judicial District Court
6/28/2017 09:15:13 AM
Norman County, MN

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 on ________ ___, _____ at _____ AM/PM
before the above-named court at 16 3rd Ave E, Ada, MN 56510-1362 to answer this complaint.
IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR in response to this SUMMONS, a WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST shall be issued.

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

Execute Nationwide

Execute in Border States

X 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: June 28, 2017.
Judicial Officer

Donna K Dixon
District Judge

Electronically Signed: 06/28/2017 09:13 AM

Sworn testimony has been given before the Judicial Officer by the following witnesses:
 
COUNTY OF NORMAN
STATE OF MINNESOTA

State of Minnesota
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER RETURN OF SERVICE

Plaintiff

I hereby Certify and Return that I have served a copy of this Order of
Detention upon the Defendant herein named.

vs.

Signature of Authorized Service Agent:

Monalisa Perez
Defendant

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