An investigation by the Spooner Police Department and the Washburn County Sheriff's Office on March 13, 2017, uncovered the burglary of two properties in Washburn County. Charges of Felony Burglary of a Building or Dwelling have subsequently been filed in Washburn County Circuit Court against 2 Minnesota men, Dustin Jackson of E. St. Paul, MN and Justin Valian, of Maplewood, MN.
According to the criminal complaint filed against Dustin Jackson in Washburn County Circuit Court, the Spooner Police Department had contact with the vehicle that Jackson and Valian were driving on March 13, 2017, and obtained a search warrant because the vehicle was full of assorted items, some with identifying marks showing that those items did not belong to either Jackson or Valian.
The Washburn County Sheriff's Office assisted with the subsequent investigation which led officers to two addresses on Wood Drive, Trego Township, Washburn County. Investigators on scene at the first address saw tire tracks clearly visible in the snow on the ground along with footprints. The complaint continues stating that investigators found a door that had been forced open and a window appeared to be broken and partially open.
Footprints in the snow led investigators to the second address where they were able to follow the trail of footprints around the residence and up a back deck area toward the door and a window where a screen had been popped out of its frame. The door to this residence was found unlocked and fresh snow was found inside from footprints left on the floors inside the residence.
The property owners were contacted by investigators and advised that it was suspected that their properties had been burglarized. The criminal complaint states that both property owners told investigators that no permission had been given to anyone to enter their property or remove anything.
When investigators interviewed Jackson, he stated that he and Valian were 'doing a favor for a friend'. Jackson stated that they met with this friend, a Caucasian female in her late twenties or early thirties, in Stillwater, MN, and that she asked them to retrieve items from a property on Wood Drive, Trego, WI, and that she provided keys to the property and told them they would be able to keep any items she did not want after they brought the items back to her. Jackson stated further that the unnamed female 'loaned' her husband's car to Valian and Jackson to make the trip and bring back any property they retrieved.
Jackson then drew a map for investigators to show where they had gone and listed items taken including an air compressor, battery charger, leaf blower, life jackets and miscellaneous tools. Jackson ultimately told investigators that Valian entered the residence at one of the addresses by way of a window, finding keys inside the residence and using those to gain access to other doors.
The criminal complaint goes on to state that when investigators interviewed Valian he advised he was in the area to visit a friend. Investigators told Valian that the properties on Wood Drive had already been searched. Valian then stated that he had permission to go to the property he went to and that he wanted an attorney.
Dustin Jackson has been charged in Washburn County Circuit Court with 2 counts of Class F Felony Burglary, one for each address on Wood Drive that was entered.
Public record shows that Valian has also been charged in Washburn County Circuit Court with 2 counts of Class F Felony Burglary.
Jackson and Valian both appeared in Washburn County Circuit Court on March 14, 2017, for Bail Bond hearings. The Court placed both Valian and Jackson on cash bail bonds of $2,500, and information received by DrydenWire.com indicates that they both remain in the custody of the Washburn County Jail at the time of this post.
Both men appeared again in Washburn County Circuit court on March 22, 2017, for preliminary examination hearings on their criminal charges. Public record shows that the court found probable cause to bind both Jackson and Valian over for trial.
The next scheduled court appearance for both men is April 24, 2017.
According to public record, Justin Valian has an active arrest warrant in Pierce County Wisconsin Circuit Court for a separate case in which 3 counts of Class F Felony Burglary were filed against him in July of 2016.
At this time, the name of the female party described by Jackson is not known to DrydenWire.com and it is unknown if she has been located by law enforcement or if any criminal charges are to be filed against her.
DrydenWire.com reminds our readers that individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until convicted by a judge or jury.
(Dustin Jackson)
(Justin Valian)
Last Update: Mar 23, 2017 8:06 am CDT
