South St. Paul Woman Back in Custody After Missing Multiple Court Dates for Drug and Counterfeiting Charges

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — A 31-year-old South St. Paul woman, Haleigh Jo Heitkamp, is back in custody at the Dakota County Jail after repeatedly failing to appear in court over the past year. Heitkamp faces a felony drug possession charge and a gross misdemeanor counterfeiting charge, along with an active hold from Ramsey County. Her next omnibus hearing in Dakota County is scheduled for July 22, 2026.

Traffic Stop Sparked the Investigation

The case dates back to approximately 4:05 a.m. on February 23, 2025, when a South St. Paul police officer pulled over a vehicle with expired registration tabs and illegally tinted windows.

The driver, Sai Vang, was arrested for driving with a revoked license. During a search of Vang’s wallet, officers discovered a counterfeit $100 bill, prompting a thorough search of the vehicle.

Counterfeit Equipment and Drugs Discovered

Inside the car, officers uncovered a mobile counterfeiting setup, including:

• A printer and scanner situated behind the driver’s seat containing a freshly printed $100 bill.

• A digital scale with white powdery residue in the driver’s door.

• Multiple cellphones, a laptop, and documents belonging to Vang.

During a search of the passenger side where Heitkamp was seated, officers found a denim jacket containing approximately 3.16 grams of cocaine, which later tested positive. A search of Heitkamp’s purse also revealed extensive drug paraphernalia, including scales, plastic baggies with residue, melted straws, and tin foil.

Suspect Admits to Fentanyl Use

Following her arrest, Heitkamp claimed she had only been in the vehicle for two hours and that only her purse and groceries belonged to her. However, she admitted to using fentanyl earlier that day. While being transported to jail, she claimed to have ingested a large quantity of drugs, requiring a diversion to a local hospital for medical evaluation.

Phone Search Uncovers Counterfeit Research

A subsequent forensic search of Heitkamp’s cellphone revealed internet searches from February 21, 2025, including “how to copy bills” and an article titled “How to Make Fake Money: 14 steps (with Pictures).” The device also contained photographs of counterfeit currency and narcotics.

Charges and Repeated Failures to Appear

Dakota County prosecutors charged Heitkamp with:

• Count 1: Fifth-Degree Controlled Substance Crime – Possession (Felony)

• Count 2: Counterfeiting Currency – Uttering or Possessing (Gross Misdemeanor)

Since June 2025, Heitkamp has repeatedly failed to appear in court, resulting in a series of bench warrants issued in July 2025, January 2026, February 2026, and June 2026. She was arrested again on July 4, 2026, and rema ins in custody.

Bail and Current Status

The court has set Heitkamp’s bail at $2,000 without conditions, or $1,000 with strict release terms, including a travel ban outside Minnesota and mandatory random drug testing. She is also being held on a separate $10,000 Ramsey County warrant for a pending drug charge. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 22, 2026, in Hastings.