Shelly Jean Goerdt receives 36 months for holding ex captive in Hibbing

Shelly Jean Goerdt, 41, was sentenced to 36 months in prison after pleading guilty to Assault in the Second Degree - Dangerous Weapon and False Imprisonment - Intentional Restraint for holding her ex‑boyfriend captive in a Hibbing residence and repeatedly assaulting him over three days. The sentence, pronounced Feb. 5, 2026, was the presumptive term under Minnesota sentencing law.

Goerdt entered her guilty plea on Dec. 2, 2025. The Honorable Rachel Sullivan denied the defense’s motion for a downward dispositional departure and granted the prosecution’s request to sentence Shelly Jean Goerdt, 41, to 36 months in prison, announced St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki. The prosecution’s recommendation reflected the county attorney’s characterization of the offenses as severe and aligned with Minnesota sentencing guidelines.

County Attorney Kim Maki released a statement underscoring the gravity of the conduct and the office’s priorities: “Ms. Goerdt and Ms. Starc committed very serious offenses, and our thoughts are with the victim as he continues to recover from the grievous harm inflicted upon him.” Maki added that “My office remains committed to protecting the safety and well‑being of our citizens and to holding offenders accountable.”

Court records and local reports outline a stark chronology. On the evening of Feb. 16, 2024, Goerdt lured her ex‑boyfriend to a residence in Hibbing. Goerdt and her sister, Corrine Starc, subdued the victim with a Taser and restrained him in a bathroom using rope, duct tape and plastic wrap. The victim was held and assaulted over the course of the next three days. The victim escaped in the early morning hours of Feb. 19, 2024, but Goerdt allegedly chased him with a vehicle and stunned him again with the Taser. After a second escape, the victim hid in an unheated garage for several hours before seeking help at a gas station, where a clerk called 911. Authorities later that day located and arrested Goerdt and Starc.

Corrine Starc, Goerdt’s sister and co‑defendant, pleaded guilty to kidnapping on Dec. 23, 2025, and is scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 26, 2026. The court file for Goerdt is 69HI-CR-24-131. Media inquiries were directed to Wade Backstrom at St. Louis County, 218-726-2323.

The case highlights tensions in rural public safety and victim support systems. For St. Louis County residents, the sentence reflects how Minnesota’s sentencing grid treats violent offenses involving weapons and intentional restraint, and it spotlights the practical needs of victims who may lack immediate shelter or emergency options in remote areas. County leaders and legislators may face renewed calls to review resources for domestic violence response, emergency outreach in smaller communities, and the application of sentencing guidelines to complex assault and false imprisonment cases.

Next steps include Corrine Starc’s upcoming sentencing and potential review of court documents for further detail on sentencing calculations and victim impact statements. Local officials and service providers will be watching to see whether this prosecution prompts changes to prevention and response efforts for similar incidents.