Danielle Stella, a pro-Trump Republican hoping to face Rep. Ilhan Omar for her congressional seat in the 2020 general election, faces felony shoplifting charges for allegedly swiping more than $2,300 worth of items from Target.
Stella was arrested twice in Minnesota, according to a report obtained by the Guardian, after allegedly stealing over $2,300 worth of goods from Target and $40 worth of goods from a grocery store.
“I am not guilty of these crimes. In this country I am innocent until proven guilty and that is the law,” Stella said in a statement. “If I was guilty of crimes, I would never run for public office, putting myself in the public eye under a microscope to be attacked by all political sides,” added Stella, who this week described Minneapolis as “the crime capital of our country.”
Stella told police that she does not remember any specifics of the alleged incident because of post-traumatic stress disorder she said she suffered after being a victim of attempted murder in 2008. The 31-year-old special-education teacher has also been charged with thefts under another name, which was changed to protect her safety.
Stella told the Washington Examiner in an interview after an appearance at a Washington, D.C., free speech rally in early July that she was running for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District to bring attention to veterans issues. She added she hoped her race would help President Trump win Minnesota in 2020.
The pro-Trump Republican could face up to 5 years in prison along with a $10,000 fine if convicted of the shoplifting charges.
Antifa on the move shouting “our streets!” pic.twitter.com/124GnDw4Xh
— John Gage (@johnrobertgage) July 6, 2019
So far, one one other Republican, Brent Whaley, is competing in the GOP primary set for August 2020.
