Burnsville Woman Sentenced in 2024 Homicide Case After Entering Alford Plea
Published: May 19, 2026.
BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA – A Burnsville woman has been sentenced in connection with the 2024 shooting death of a Minneapolis man after entering what is known as an Alford plea earlier this year.
According to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, 27-year-old Josephine Ann Powers was sentenced Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Dakota County District Court to 261 months in prison, approximately 21 years and nine months, for the shooting death of 70-year-old Michael Robert Riccio.
Judge Stacey Sorensen Green handed down the sentence after Powers entered a guilty plea in February to one count of second-degree intentional murder. Powers was also granted credit for 669 days already served in custody. Court records show Powers entered an Alford plea on February 10, 2026.
An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain their claim of innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors have enough evidence that a jury could likely find them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. Under Minnesota law, defendants entering an Alford plea are still convicted and sentenced the same as if they had admitted guilt outright.
In the signed court filing, Powers acknowledged that she had reviewed the state’s evidence and believed “there is a substantial likelihood” she would be found guilty if the case proceeded to trial. The filing also stated that if the judge accepted the plea, she would “be considered just as guilty” as if she had admitted guilt directly.
The homicide investigation began in July 2024 after Powers contacted Burnsville police to report a shooting that had allegedly occurred days earlier at a residence on Keating Court in Burnsville. According to the criminal complaint previously filed in the case, investigators learned Riccio had been shot during an argument inside the home. Authorities later discovered Riccio’s body concealed in a large gray container at a Minneapolis property after executing a search warrant connected to the investigation.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Riccio’s death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the head.
The investigation also led to charges against Christopher Michael Hawkins, who prosecutors alleged helped move and conceal the victim’s body after the killing.
According to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, Hawkins later entered a guilty plea to aiding an offender as an accomplice after the fact. His sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for June 18 in Hastings. Earlier court documents alleged Hawkins assisted with transporting the body from the Burnsville residence to a shed in Minneapolis. Prosecutors also alleged he helped clean portions of the crime scene. At the time charges were initially filed, investigators reported finding evidence of cleanup efforts inside the Burnsville home, including bleach, removed carpeting, and patched bullet holes.
Family members of Powers have continued to dispute portions of the prosecution’s narrative surrounding the case. According to the family, Powers still maintains that Jiwayne “JiWayne” Chatman was the individual who shot and killed Riccio and that she was allegedly being held against her will during portions of the incident. Limitless Media News has remained in contact with Powers’ family and is continuing efforts to obtain and review Powers’ full account of the events surrounding Riccio’s death.
Chatman was previously federally charged and later sentenced in connection with unlawful firearm possession uncovered during the homicide investigation. However, he has not been charged directly in Riccio’s death.
The case drew significant attention in 2024 due to the nature of the allegations and the extensive multi-agency investigation involving Burnsville Police, Minneapolis Police, the Dakota County Drug Task Force, and the Dakota County Electronic Crimes Unit.
Under Minnesota Department of Corrections guidelines, Powers will serve a portion of her sentence in prison followed by supervised release, subject to state sentencing regulations.
As with all criminal cases, court records and case details remain subject to future proceedings and updates
Related Reporting to this Case:
Josephine Powers, provided by the Dakota County Jail.
