Brutal Hotel Room Ambush Brings Felony Charges

A Rosemount man is facing three felony charges in connection with a brutal hotel room ambush in South St. Paul in which the victim stated he was threatened at different times with a filled Jacuzzi, a handgun and a knife before managing to escape. 

According to a Dakota County criminal complaint, Ryan James Reeves, 27, of Rosemount, and two-to-four other men, ambushed the victim, identified as M.C., in a South St. Paul hotel room on May 6. The assailants allegedly knocked M.C. down after he had entered the room and began kicking, punching and choking the victim repeatedly. 

At one point, M.C. stated in the complaint, he remembered “getting kicked in the face and seeing stars.”

The complaint states M.C. had previously sold a Ford Explorer to Lawrence Daniel Munoz, 37, of St. Paul, also identified as an assailant, for $1,500 approximately six weeks prior to the incident. M.C. stated that on May 2, Munoz began calling him saying that the truck had been “impounded or something” and inquired if M.C. knew where the vehicle was. M.C. stated Munoz continued to call him about the truck despite repeatedly telling him he knew nothing of the truck's whereabouts.

On May 5, M.C. stated he towed his Buick to the Twin City area from his residence in Duluth for repairs. Munoz continued to contact M.C. about the Ford Explorer during that time and appeared to be accusing M.C. of taking the vehicle, according to the complaint.

M.C. stated he offered to help Munoz find the vehicle to no avail and was set to return to Duluth on May 6.

According to the complaint, M.C. stated Munoz contacted him at approximately 5:00 a.m. on May 6 and requested he come to his South St. Paul hotel room to sign the bottom of the Ford Explorer title in one spot that had been forgotten.

M.C. stated he arrived at the hotel at approximately 6:30 a.m. and entered the room. 

According to the complaint, M.C. stated upon entering the room he noticed Reeves sitting at the Jacuzzi filling it with water. He then heard a door open and identified Justin Bryan Hop, 31, coming towards him.

M.C. stated he was able to identify the three men because he had grown up with them.

At that point, M.C. stated he was hit from behind and he fell to the ground where he was repeatedly assaulted for an undetermined amount of time. M.C. stated he could feel himself losing consciousness and began screaming, kicking and biting to try and get help. 

M.C. stated that Reeves, Munoz and Hop told him to be quiet and began dragging him toward the filled Jacuzzi. Fearful for his life, M.C. continued screaming and fighting back until he heard a door open and close.

At that point, M.C. told police he was lying on the floor bleeding and alone with Reeves and Munoz in the room.

M.C. stated that Munoz then pulled out a black handgun and told him he was not leaving. M.C. again denied taking the vehicle but was prevented from leaving the hotel room by Reeves and Munoz.

At one point, M.C. stated Munoz left the room and Reeves pulled out a folding buck knife and told M.C. to come with him.

Once outside the door, M.C. stated he was able to escape to his vehicle and get away, driving to a friend’s house. M.C. stated someone had told him if he went to the police he would be killed and that they knew where his family lived.

After resting at his friend’s house, M.C. sought treatment at a hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured orbital bone. Officers stated in the report they also observed severe bruising and swelling to M.C.’s face.

M.C. also told police he was missing $2,500 in cash intended for the auto repair and his cell phone after the assault.

Upon obtaining a warrant and searching the hotel room, police located documents with M.C.’s name on them, a broken cell phone and numerous items with Munoz’s name on them.

Officers also collected DNA samples from large blood stains found on the hotel carpet next to the Jacuzzi.

According to the complaint, Munoz, Reeves and Hop were all identified by M.C. as the assailants in three individual double-blind photo lineups. The room was rented to a fourth individual identified as D.R.L. who was seen by hotel staff with Munoz earlier.

Munoz was arrested on May 9 in Mendota Heights by officers attempting to execute the arrest warrant for the May 6 incident. In addition to two felony counts of assault and a felony count of false imprisonment in relation to that case, Munoz was charged with two felony counts of controlled substance possession during the May 9 arrest.

Munoz's first court appearance was May 11 and he remains in custody on a total of $1 million in bonds stemming from the May 6 charges. His next court appearance is May 29.

Reeves was arrested on May 10 and released on a $25,000 bond with conditions after a May 11 court appearance.

Reeves is also charged with felony second-degree assault, felony third-degree assault and one count of felony false imprisonment. Maximum penalties if convicted on all charges could bring up to 18 years.

His next court appearance is scheduled for July 3, 2012.