A DFL candidate running for Minnesota House of Representatives and his wife are now facing criminal charges after hundreds of allegedly stolen yard signs were recovered from the couple’s home.
Candidate Judd Hoff, and his wife Wendy, were both criminally charged in Douglas County after law enforcement executed a search warrant at the couple’s home and recovered a large amount of campaign, real estate, and other signs that were allegedly stolen.
Hoff is facing two felony counts, aiding and abetting felony theft and felony receiving of stolen property; his wife Wendy is facing one felony theft count. Hoff is a DFL candidate running for District 12B of the Minnesota House against Republican incumbent Mary Franson.
According to the charges, police officers took multiple reports about stolen signs throughout July and into August. Law enforcement interviewed Wendy Hoff after one person saw Wendy take several signs. Based on that interview, law enforcement pursued a search warrant of the Hoff residence.
Upon executing the search warrant, police recovered approximately 242 signs from the home.
According to the criminal charges, many of the signs had been covered in black paint; some were repainted with the phrase “Vote Hoff, State Representative 12B.” The charging documents indicated that Hoff’s wife allegedly stole the signs while candidate Hoff allegedly received the stolen signs.
The signs recovered by law enforcement were for Donald Trump, Tim Walz, Steve Boyd, Calvary Lutheran Church, an Art in the Park event, Interlachen Bazaar, and many others, according to the charges.
In a news release about the search warrant, Alexandria Police Chief Scott Kent said “we are working as quickly as we can to return the signs to the victims.”
As of Sunday, Aug. 11 both Hoffs were in the Douglas County Jail, Crime Watch Minneapolis reported.
Charges filed against Wendy and Judd Hoff in Douglas County
As of Sunday, Aug. 11, both of the Hoffs are in Douglas County Jail.
Judd Hoff is the DFL endorsed candidate running against State @RepMaryFranson.
Read👇https://t.co/tp71JYeWYc pic.twitter.com/HAaK0ZhKGQ
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) August 11, 2024
Additionally, charging documents for the couple state that Wendy Hoff’s vehicle was seen on security camera footage taking “No Parking” signs from Alex Viking Towing in Alexandria, Minn. An off-duty police officer reportedly observed Hoff’s vehicle stopping at homes, while Hoff got out to remove “Josh Owen” signs that were up to honor the death of Pope County Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen.
The estimated total damage caused is approximately $5,000.00, the charges state.
In 2021, Judd Hoff was convicted of felony second-degree assault after an altercation with another man in which Hoff wielded a machete in a threatening manner. Hoff was sentence to 13 months in a correctional facility. Republicans have also accused Hoff of repeatedly harassing Franson.
After announcing his 2024 candidacy for State House, Hoff was endorsed by the DFL Party. However, that endorsement was disavowed by the state party in April after reporting on Hoff’s background began circulating. At the time, the local Douglas County DFL stood by Hoff saying they “did not find sufficient cause to take action.”
Yesterday, the Douglas County DFL rescinded their endorsement of Hoff after news of the alleged yard sign thefts broke.
Luke Sprinkel contributed to this report.Â
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
