Burnsville Man Linked to 25-Pound Marijuana Trafficking Allegations out of Oklahoma
Published: May 1, 2026
BURNSVILLE, MN: A Burnsville man is facing a felony fugitive charge in Dakota County after authorities confirmed he is wanted in Oklahoma on serious drug trafficking allegations, with court records showing a multi-year case involving arrest, release, and a second arrest across state lines.
Minnesota Arrest and Fugitive Charge
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, Mario Juarez, 54, was taken into custody on April 10, 2026, after law enforcement in Dakota County discovered he had an active, extraditable warrant out of Craig County, Oklahoma. Authorities confirmed the warrant remained active and that Oklahoma officials intended to extradite Juarez back to face charges. As a result, he has been formally charged in Minnesota with:
Fugitive from Justice (Felony) under Minnesota Statute 629.13
Prosecutors have requested that Juarez be held without bail, citing Minnesota law that allows detention of fugitives for up to 30 days while the governor’s extradition process is completed. Court records show he remains in custody without bail as of April 24, 2026, with an extradition hearing scheduled for May 1, 2026, in Hastings.
Underlying Oklahoma Drug Trafficking Case
Court documents from Craig County, Oklahoma, show the fugitive case stems from a 2021 felony drug investigation.
According to the charging document filed in that case, Juarez is accused of:
Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Marijuana) — Felony
Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Without a Tax Stamp — Felony
The allegations state that on or about July 21, 2021, Juarez was found in possession of approximately 25 pounds of marijuana, a quantity that meets Oklahoma’s threshold for trafficking charges. Additional documentation indicates the incident involved a motor vehicle stop, with the offense classified as drug trafficking involving 25 pounds or more of marijuana using a vehicle.
Prior Arrest and Interstate Custody Issues
The Oklahoma case has a complex procedural history that spans multiple states.
Records show that a $50,000 bond was posted in July 2021. Juarez later failed to appear in court on March 13, 2024, resulting in the forfeiture of the bond. A bench warrant was issued, along with a new arrest warrant set at $100,000.
In April 2024, Juarez was located in Minnesota. Documentation indicates he was arrested on April 15, 2024, in Burnsville, Minnesota, and was booked into the Hennepin County Jail in Minneapolis for holding on to an out-of-state warrant. A bondsman’s notice filed in Oklahoma confirms Juarez was returned to custody within the required 90-day period, noting he was taken into custody in Minnesota and held pending return to Oklahoma authorities.
Release Despite Hold, Then Continued Proceedings
However, additional filings reveal complications during that process. A motion filed in Craig County states that Juarez was released from Hennepin County Jail on April 19, 2024, despite an active hold placed by the Craig County Sheriff’s Office.
The filing argues that the bondsman had complied with requirements to return Juarez to custody, but that Minnesota authorities did not honor the hold, leading to his release. This sequence of events appears to have contributed to the ongoing fugitive status that ultimately led to his re-arrest in Dakota County in April 2026.
What Happens Next
Juarez is currently being held in Dakota County as the extradition process moves forward. At the upcoming scheduled extradition hearing for today, May 1, 2026, the court will determine the next steps, which typically include:
Whether the defendant will waive extradition, or
Whether Minnesota will proceed with the formal governor’s warrant process to return him to Oklahoma
If extradited, Juarez would be returned to Craig County to face the original felony drug trafficking charges filed in 2021.
As with all criminal cases, the allegations against Juarez remain charges at this stage. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Provided by Dakota County Jail.
