Alleged catalytic converter thief receives not guilty verdict in second jury trial

By KAALTV

Shawn Clement / Olmsted County Adult Detention Center

(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: A Dodge Center man accused of stealing catalytic converters totaling more than $40,000 in value received a a not-guilty verdict in his second Olmsted County Court trial Tuesday.

Shawn Eric Clement, 36, was previously convicted on one count of felony theft dating back to 2022, during a jury trial earlier this year.

However, he was found not guilty of a second charge of felony theft from 2021.

Clement faces one more court case in Olmsted County, which has yet to be scheduled.

Olmsted County charged initially charged Clement with two more counts of theft and one count of damage to property when the charges were filed in 2022.

However, the court changed the charges to two counts of aiding and abetting theft, as well as one count of aiding and abetting damage to property on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023.

(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: A Dodge Center man accused of stealing catalytic converters totaling more than $40,000 in value received a guilty verdict in an Olmsted County jury trial Friday.

Shawn Eric Clement, 36, will be sentenced for one count of felony theft–value over $5,000 or trade secret, explosive, or controlled substance March 23, 2023.

Clement faces two more charges of felony theft dating back to 2021, two charges of felony theft from 2022, as well as one charge of damage to property.

The trials for his remaining charges have yet to be scheduled.

ABC 6 News) – A Dodge Center man previously arrested for the 2021 theft of more than $40,000 in catalytic converters struck a plea deal in 2022 and was released on probation.

Shawn Clement, 36, was re-arrested for violating probation and is currently being held on $100,000 bail at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center.

Clement appeared in court Wednesday, Nov. 30, at which time the State of Minnesota moved to revoke his probation and incarcerate him until a trial could be held.

According to court documents, Clement admitted to using alcohol and methamphetamine on Nov. 26 — both of which are prohibited under the terms of his release.

Clement’s pretrial is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2023, with a jury trial scheduled Feb. 21.

Clement will face multiple theft and damage to property charges from 2021 and 2022, including felony theft–value over $5,000 or trade secret, explosive, controlled substance.