Rochester Man Gets Chance to Avoid 126-Month Prison Term

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man who was sent to prison last year for violating probation stemming from a 2023 felony drug sales conviction is being given a chance to avoid returning to prison following two new felony convictions.

Convicted of Felony Drug and Theft Charges

Twenty-eight-year-old Keith Cabrera Mendoza recently entered into a plea agreement and admitted to a first-degree drug sale charge and a felony theft charge stemming from separate criminal cases. He has now been sentenced to five years of probation, along with a stayed 126-month prison sentence that could be imposed if he fails to successfully complete probation.

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Sold Fentanyl Pills to Police Informant

The felony drug conviction stems from an investigation by the Rochester Police Department in the summer of 2024. Mendoza was accused of selling more than 40 fentanyl pills to a law enforcement informant during a "controlled buy."

Jewelry Store Burglary

Mendoza was also charged last year in connection with a "smash-and-grab" burglary at a Rochester jewelry store. The criminal complaint says two dozen items valued at more than $2,500 were stolen from the business.

Prior Fentanyl Conviction Led to Earlier Prison Sentence

Mendoza was previously convicted of third-degree drug sales involving nearly 60 fentanyl pills. He was originally sentenced to probation in that case, but an Olmsted County judge ordered him to serve a 27-month prison sentence last year, with credit for nearly 190 days he had already spent in jail.

All of the SE Minnesota Restaurants That Opened in the Last 6 Months

We've had quite a few new restaurants come to the Rochester and Southeast Minnesota area for us to try! Here's a recap of all of the new restaurants that have opened in our area in the last 6 months (since mid-April). I'm sure I missed some, so let me know who else has opened that I missed!

Gallery Credit: Carly Ross