A Burnsville woman was charged* today with second-degree intentional murder in connection with the death of seventy-year-old Michael Robert Riccio, announced Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena.
According to court documents, on July 18, Josephine Ann Powers, 25, contacted the Burnsville Police Department to report a shooting that happened at her home earlier that month. Ms. Powers lives with a family member who was away on a two-week vacation during the time of the incident.
During the investigation, a witness told officers that Riccio was allegedly shot on approximately July 9 by Powers following an argument between the two. Mr. Riccio was shot in the head and his body was wrapped in tarps and carpet.
Days later, Powers asked Christopher Michael Hawkins to move a package from her home in exchange for a pickup truck. Hawkins agreed to help. When he arrived at the home, he saw blood throughout the downstairs and what he believed to be a body wrapped in garbage bags and rugs. Hawkins then placed the object in the back of the pickup truck and transported it to a shed in Minneapolis where he kept his belongings.
Officers obtained a search warrant for the Minneapolis address and found remains of what appeared to be a body in a grey container in the backyard. An autopsy was conducted and the remains were identified as belonging to Mr. Riccio. The cause of death was determined to be a single gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was determined as a homicide.
Hawkins is currently being held in the Hennepin County Jail on a separate matter. A complaint warrant has been issued to transfer Hawkins to the Dakota County Jail upon his release.
Bail was set in the amount of $1 million without conditions ($750,000 with conditions) by Judge Timothy McManus. Ms. Powers' next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 1 at 1:30 p.m. in Hastings.
County Attorney Keena thanked the Burnsville Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, Dakota County Drug Task Force, Dakota County Electronic Crimes Unit and other responding agencies for the thorough investigation and partnership.
A summary of the facts pertaining to this case can be found in the criminal complaint at Criminal Complaint Search.
*Criminal charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant/suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.