Man pleads guilty to role in 2023 Isanti County armed burglary turned homicide

A man pleaded guilty on Monday for his role in an Isanti County armed burglary turned homicide case in December of 2023.

According to a news release from the state attorney general’s office, Abraham Houle pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and aiding an offender after the fact in a second-degree murder.

The release states that on Dec. 13, 2023, Houle and two other individuals were hired to dress as police officers and burglarize a purported drug stash house in Spencer Brook Township.

One of Houle’s codefendants shot and killed Jose De Jesus Diaz Fernandes during the burglary.

According to the release, Houle admitted to dressing like a police officer, participating in the burglary, driving the getaway vehicle, and lying about the murder to law enforcement officers to impede their investigation.

He will be sentenced in Isanti County district court on Aug. 4.

Codefendant Fredy Saavedra Olivar was sentenced to 366 months in prison in February, after being found guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree burglary.

Two remaining defendants are pending trial.