Ryan Wolner Booking Photo – Martin County Sheriff’s Office
Bail in Minnesota
Minnesota is an outlier among states when it comes to mandating bail in criminal cases. Minnesota’s courts have interpreted the Minnesota Constitution to mandate a “bail only” option for criminal defendants, meaning that while a court can impose bail with “conditions of release,” it must also offer bail with a “no conditions” option. The result – if a criminal defendant in Minnesota has access to enough money, they can secure their release pending trial, with zero conditions of release.
The U.S. federal courts offer a better system. The Bail Reform Act of 1984 allows federal judges to apply “preventative detention” and hold a defendant in custody without bail if the court finds that no release conditions would assure public safety and/or the defendant’s future appearance in court. Under this procedure the court must hold a detention hearing in the early days of a case where it receives a recommendation from pre-trial services and hears arguments from both the prosecutor and defense attorney relevant to the defendant’s pretrial custody status.
In the federal system a significant majority (69.5% – 89%) of violent offenders in federal court are held without bail through trial – a reality that doesn’t seem to trouble many, nor should it.
Changing the law in Minnesota would require a constitutional amendment – a legislative action needing a majority vote in both the House and Senate, followed by a majority public vote. The Governor cannot veto such an amendment that is successfully voted in.
The troubling cases of Ryan Wolner
The criminal cases involving Ryan Wolner, 18, of Mankato, represent a good argument for Minnesota legislators to consider eliminating the bail mandate, and giving judges the authority to hold defendants without bail in cases involving significant public safety threats.
Wolner racked up several drug and firearm related felony convictions as a juvenile. Wolner’s criminal history, at 18 years old, was recently detailed in Blue Earth County Court documents:
“Defendant’s conduct is part of an ongoing investigation into bribery involving numerous witnesses that were involved as victims or witnesses in multiple robberies and gun related offenses in the community. On June 1, 2026, Wolner was charged with Aiding and Abetting Attempted Aggravated Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Felony Aggravated Robbery, Aiding an Offender – Accomplice after the Fact – Obstruction of Investigation of 2nd Degree Murder, Aiding an Offender – Accomplice After the Fact – Obstruction of Investigation Attempted 1st Degree Aggravated Robbery, and Aiding an Offender to Avoid Arrest – Harbor/Conceal, Aiding and Abetting 2nd Degree Murder, Aiding and Abetting Assault 1st Degree, and 2 counts of Aiding and Abetting Assault – 2nd Degree in Nicollet County Court File 52-CR-26-215. In addition, Defendant criminal history includes his pending 1st Degree Aggravated Robbery case in 07-CR-26-507 in which he recently had a condition of release violation found for possessing firearms while on release conditions. Defendant has a history of additional juvenile delinquency history that includes charges for Tampering with a Witness – 3rd Degree – Prevent Testimony by Intimidation, 2nd Degree Cannabis Possession, 3rd Degree Riot, Obstructions, 5th Degree Assault, multiple Disorderly Conduct cases. He has pending cases in Nicollet County for Possession of a Firearm w/out a Serial Number and Carrying a Pistol w/out a Permit.”
In November 2025, a few months before turning 18, Wolner carried out an armed robbery during a drug deal, pointing a loaded handgun at the head of the victim. Wolner was subsequently charged as an adult with armed robbery and aggravated assault. As mandated by our constitution, the court in Blue Earth County set “bail only” and “bail with conditions” options for Wolner pending trial. Wolner eventually found a bail bondsman to put up a $1.2 million dollar bail-bond, costing Wolner and his family at least $120,000 in cash, as most bail bondsman charge 10% of the total bail amount in non-reimbursed cash. Wolner was released with conditions that included wearing an ankle bracelet to track his location.
Shortly after release Wolner attempted to bribe the victim of his armed robbery with cash to recant his statement against Wolner. Wolner was subsequently charged with attempted bribery in Blue Earth County, setting bail for this new charge at $250,000.
Then, in May 2026, while out on $1.2 million bail for the robbery and attempted bribery, and while wearing the court ordered ankle bracelet, Wolner set up another drug deal robbery. He enlisted the help of three accomplices, one of whom fatally shot the victim when he tried to flee. Three of the four defendants were wearing court mandated ankle bracelets at the time of the murder.
Wolner and his accomplices were all arrested and charged in Nicollet County with various levels of armed robbery, aggravated assault, and murder. The judge in the murder case added an additional $1 million bail with conditions. The total bail amount stood at just under $2.5 million.
Despite Wolner’s history, he found another bail bond company to post a bond for his release – presumably costing Wolner and his family another $250,000 cash. That release “with conditions” was this past Monday.
Wolner’s release didn’t last long. On Wednesday evening Wolner was back in custody for violating the conditions of his release. Details of the conditions Wolner violated have not been shared, but a hearing to review the conditional release details is scheduled for Monday July 20th in Nicollet County Court.
Takeaway
Wolner’s exploitation represents an inexcusable public safety gap in Minnesota’s mandated bail system – one that deserves reform by our legislature.