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A Moorhead man, Monico Espinoza Jr., age 38, was sentenced in Redwood County Court last week for possessing illegal drugs, and a stolen car.

According to court documents, on June 10 of last year, a Redwood Falls police officer got a report that a vehicle stolen in Fergus Falls had been spotted at a Redwood Falls business. When the officer arrived at the parking lot, he observed the driver of the vehicle, Espinoza, attempting to lure young women toward the stolen vehicle.

At a different Redwood Falls business, the officer confronted and arrested Espinoza. The officer searched the stolen vehicle and located tools and ammunition that had also been reported stolen in the town of Fairfax. He also found marijuana and methamphetamine.

After Espinoza was informed of his rights, he stated he had taken the vehicle from someone who would not pay him for illegal drugs. Espinoza then stated he had bought the vehicle, then claimed he had traded it. He acknowledged he had left a stolen shotgun in his home in Lafayette.

On July 11, Monico Espinoza Jr. was sentenced for felony Receiving Stolen Property and gross misdemeanor Controlled Substance Crime in the Fifth Degree to a total of 12 months one day at the correctional facility in St. Cloud, stayed for five years, five years supervised probation, 60 days local confinement with 32 days credit for time served, and fines and fees of $485.