Woman Charged After Allegedly Causing More Than $2,000 in Damage at Dakota County Jail
Published: July 22nd, 2026.
HASTINGS MN: A 23-year-old woman is facing a felony charge after prosecutors allege she caused more than $2,000 in damage to property inside the Dakota County Jail in Hastings.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County, Lariah Joyce Cox has been charged with one count of first-degree criminal damage to property, a felony. The charge alleges that the damage reduced the value of another person's property by more than $1,000, as measured by the cost of repair or replacement.
According to the complaint, Dakota County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a report of property damage at the Dakota County Jail at approximately 7:20 p.m. on July 4, 2026.
The probable cause statement alleges that surveillance video from a housing unit inside the jail showed Cox becoming upset after a correctional deputy discarded several items. Prosecutors allege Cox then threw several chairs and struck two computer monitors located on a staff desk.
According to the complaint, the two damaged computer monitors had an estimated replacement cost of $2,016.
Cox is charged with one count of first-degree criminal damage to property. The charge is an allegation, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.