Bio

Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. was born on February 18, 1953. He grew up in Minnesota. As a young person, he faced various challenges. He had a troubled childhood, which may have played a role in shaping his later life.

Alfonso had a history with the law. He struggled with issues related to crime from a young age. Eventually, he began to commit more serious offenses. Over the years, he was involved in multiple incidents that resulted in convictions. His criminal record included serious crimes that led to long prison sentences. In total, he served a lengthy sentence for crimes such as attempted kidnapping and assault.

In May 2003, Alfonso was released from prison after serving more than 23 years. He returned to live with his mother in Crookston, Minnesota. His history as a registered level 3 sex offender meant that he was classified as someone at high risk to re-offend. After his release, he struggled to reintegrate into society. He had difficulty finding stable employment and dealing with his past.

Murder Story

Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. was involved in the kidnapping and murder of Dru Kathrina Sjodin, a 22-year-old college student. On the evening of November 22, 2003, Dru finished her work at a mall and left after shopping. She spoke with her boyfriend on the phone while walking to her car. The call suddenly ended after she spoke phrases like "Okay" and "Oh my God." After hours without any contact, her boyfriend received another call from her phone, but it was just static.

On December 1, 2003, Rodriguez was arrested in connection with Dru's disappearance. He was a registered sex offender and had a criminal history. Police found evidence linking him to Dru, including a knife bought nearby. There were also bloodstains matching Dru's DNA in Rodriguez's car along with a woman's shoe.

Dru's body was discovered on April 17, 2004. She was found in a ravine near Crookston, Minnesota, where Rodriguez lived with his mother. The medical exam showed that she had been beaten, raped, and stabbed. She had wounds on her neck and marks indicating that her hands were tied. There were signs that she had suffered before her death, which could have been caused by the stab wound, suffocation, or exposure to the elements.

Rodriguez's trial was held in federal court because Dru was taken across state lines. He was convicted of murder on August 30, 2006, and sentenced to death on September 22, 2006. This marked the first death penalty case in North Dakota in many years. Rodriguez claimed he was innocent, but he was not able to convince the court. He received the formal death sentence on February 8, 2007.