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A former Hennepin County probation officer, Elsa Segura, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in the 2019 killing of Minneapolis real estate agent Monique Baugh. Segura pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping after orchestrating a fake house showing that led to Baugh's abduction and murder by two accomplices. Despite previously being sentenced to life in prison, the conviction was overturned, resulting in Segura's recent guilty plea.
The sentencing brings closure to a painful five-year process for Baugh's family, who expressed disappointment that Segura won't spend life in prison. Monique's mother Wanda Baugh stated in court that the family had been content with the original life sentence for Segura, emphasizing that she believed it was a rightful punishment for the crime. Monique Baugh, just 28 years old at the time of her death, left behind two young daughters.
The crime, planned by Segura's then-boyfriend Lyndon Wiggins following a dispute with Baugh's boyfriend, Jon Mitchell-Momoh, resulted in tragic consequences for Baugh and her loved ones. Wiggins directed Segura to set up the fake meeting with Baugh on the evening of December 31, 2019. Two other defendants, Cedric Berry and Berry Davis, were responsible for kidnapping and fatally shooting Baugh. Baugh's boyfriend was also shot but survived his injuries.
During Tuesday's hearing, Segura declined the opportunity to speak. Emotions ran high as a family member of Baugh confronted Segura in court, expressing anger and grief over the devastating impact of the crime. Judge Mark Kappelhoff acknowledged the severity of the offense, stating that Segura's actions set in motion the kidnapping that led to Baugh's tragic death. The judge imposed a 20-year sentence on Segura, surpassing sentencing guidelines for kidnapping due to the "particular cruelty" of the crime and the involvement of multiple defendants.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty noted that a plea deal was struck with Segura's attorneys to avoid prolonging the legal proceedings and provide closure for Baugh's family. Cedric Berry and Berry Davis, the other two defendants directly involved in Baugh's kidnapping and killing, are serving life sentences without parole. Shante Davis, an additional defendant, was sentenced to parole for aiding an offender after the crime.
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