South Saint Paul Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking Incident in Apple Valley
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA – A South Saint Paul man who was charged with carjacking in Apple Valley earlier this year; you can find our original story about this incident here, Carjacking Incident in Apple Valley Leads to Arrest, has been sentenced to over five years in prison following a guilty plea. Jonlee Joseph Goers, 43, pleaded guilty to Carjacking in the 3rd Degree as part of a plea deal, while additional charges, including First Degree Carjacking and drug possession, were dismissed.
Incident Details
The charges stem from a carjacking incident on June 25, 2024, where Goers attacked the victim, a restaurant employee in Burnsville, after being offered a ride. The attack occurred on Glazier Avenue in Apple Valley, Minnesota, where Goers had allegedly kicked the victim in the face, forced him out of the vehicle, and drove away in the victim’s Jeep. The victim sustained multiple injuries, including head trauma and a potentially broken ankle.
The stolen Jeep was located later that day outside Goers’ residence in South Saint Paul. Law enforcement identified Goers using body camera footage and arrested him. During questioning, Goers initially claimed the vehicle was lent to him by a friend but later admitted to the carjacking, citing methamphetamine use and sleep deprivation over several days.
Sentencing Details
On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the Dakota County District Court sentenced Goers to 61 months in prison at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud. He was given credit for 155 days already served. Under Minnesota sentencing guidelines, Goers will serve two-thirds of his sentence in prison, with the remaining time on supervised release.
As part of the plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed:
First First-degree carjacking (which involved allegations of bodily harm or a dangerous weapon).
Two counts of felony drug possession related to 7.59 grams of methamphetamine and fentanyl were allegedly found in Goers’ possession during a July 2024 jail search.
Additionally, charges in a separate case involving alleged assault, obstruction, and fleeing police were dismissed.
Community and Legal Implications
Goers’ guilty plea resolves multiple criminal cases against him and underscores the dangers of drug abuse and violent crime. The Dakota County Attorney’s Office emphasized the plea deal ensures accountability while avoiding the time and uncertainty of a trial. Further updates on Goers' incarceration or potential supervised release will depend on developments within the Department of Corrections.
Ongoing Legal Issues for Jonlee Joseph Goers
While Jonlee Joseph Goers begins serving his 61-month sentence for 3rd Degree Carjacking, additional legal challenges loom for the 43-year-old South St. Paul resident. Goers is set to stand trial beginning December 23, 2024, for charges stemming from two separate incidents on June 24 and June 25, 2024.
Burnsville Transit Station Theft
On June 24, 2024, Goers allegedly stole a Swagtron EB5 electric bicycle valued at $750 from the Burnsville Transit Station. According to a criminal complaint from the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, surveillance footage captured Goers taking the bicycle. Burnsville Police later identified him through body camera images and a Department of Vehicle Services (DVS) photograph. The charge for this incident—Theft of Movable Property Without Consent—is classified as a gross misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
South St. Paul Arrest and Additional Charges
The following day, after being identified as the suspect in the Burnsville bicycle theft and a carjacking in Apple Valley, Goers was apprehended in South St. Paul when the jeep that Goers stole in Apple Valley was found. During the arrest, he allegedly resisted law enforcement, leading to further charges:
Obstructing Legal Process-Interfering with a Peace Officer (Gross Misdemeanor)
Fleeing a Peace Officer by Means Other than a Motor Vehicle (Misdemeanor)
Violation of a Domestic Abuse Order for Protection (Misdemeanor)
These charges are being prosecuted by the South St. Paul City Attorney’s Office.
If convicted on these additional charges, Goers faces significant potential penalties. His jury trial in December will address the theft case from Burnsville and the charges from South St. Paul. The outcome of these cases could further impact Goers' future, adding to his ongoing incarceration and supervised release from his carjacking conviction. Further updates will follow as the legal proceedings unfold.
As a reminder, this is an overview of the allegations against Goers, detailing the charges, evidence, and potential legal outcomes. The community is reminded that charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates on this case will depend on the progress of the legal proceedings.
Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
Written by: Will Wight
