Samuel George Gifford

On April 24, 2025, a deputy with the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported theft of a trailer having occurred at a business in Randolph Township, Dakota County. The reporting party, “Victim” herein, stated that his trailer, which he estimated to be worth $6,000, was taken from the location where it was stored. The suspects removed a panel of fencing and maneuvered a white Dodge Ram into the storage facility to take the trailer on April 23, 2025. On September 29, 2025, a detective was notified that “Victim” had seen the stolen trailer on Facebook Marketplace, being offered for $3,000. The detective was able to identify the seller as Samuel George Gifford [DOB REDACTED], “Defendant” herein.

The detective noted that Defendant was the registered owner of a white Dodge Ram truck. The detective contacted Defendant, who claimed he was selling the trailer for a friend before ending communications. The detective obtained search warrants for Defendant’s Facebook and Google accounts, and observed that Defendant was searching for trailers the day before the theft. The detective observed that the day after she spoke with Defendant, he searched how to delete his locations services. The detective obtained a search warrant for Defendant’s residence, which was executed on November 17, 2025. When talking to the detective, Defendant stated that he thought he knew where the trailer was located, but wanted something in writing saying, “I am not going to be charged with a felony.” During the execution of the warrant, deputies found a license plate belonging to the stolen trailer at Defendant’s residence.

Defendant admitted to taking the tailer and needing to sell it. The detective learned the trailer was being stored in Jordan, Minnesota with Defendant’s uncle. The trailer was located, and Defendant’s uncle stated that Defendant had brought it to his property to sore it. In a follow up interview with Defendant, he told the detective that he needed the trailer.