US Senate Candidate Marisa Simonetti Convicted After Bizarre Airbnb Renter Assault

Minnesota political candidate Marisa Simonetti was found guilty of harassment and assault for throwing a tarantula at an Airbnb renter.

Simonetti, 32, was convicted of gross misdemeanour harassment, misdemeanour domestic assault and misdemeanour disorderly conduct on 13 March, following a three-day trial at Hennepin County District Court. The complaint stemmed from a June 2024 confrontation between Simonetti and a tenant in her Edina home.

The incident occurred while Simonetti was still a Hennepin County commissioner candidate, the Eden Prairie Local News reported. Jacklyn Vasquez, the complainant, had rented out Simonetti's basement via Airbnb at the time. The conflict had already been escalating, according to the outlet, and police had intervened at one point.

Escalating Conflict Leads to Assault

Things came to a head on 21 June, when Vasquez asked Simonetti to hire pest control. Vasquez said she was terrified of spiders, and she saw 'large spiders' in the basement.

Simonetti allegedly responded by aggravating Vasquez, first by shutting off the home's internet. Two hours later, Vasquez called 911 to report that Simonetti brought in a man to dismantle the door leading to the basement.

Simonetti then banged pots and pans and yelled 'Hallelujah!' before throwing clutter down the stairs. Vasquez captured the entire incident with her laptop camera. In the footage shared by KARE 11, Simonetti can be heard off-screen yelling 'spider infestation!' before dumping what appeared to be a tarantula down the stairwell.

Police Find Harassment Evidence

Responders confirmed finding 'pins, tacks, nails, a live tarantula, which was moving around, what appeared to be the contents of a terrarium dumped down the stairs, and several small toys,' KSTP reported.

Asserting that the entire complaint hinged on Vasquez's testimony, Simonetti otherwise acknowledged the video evidence in court. 'One thing I will concede is these actions appear quite outrageous,' she said, per Eden Prairie Local News. 'I'm quite embarrassed, and the situation certainly appears to have been mishandled.'

Simonetti Bought a Tarantula to Harass Vasquez

Prosecutor Nicole Appelbaum argued that the footage clearly showed an intent to intimidate. 'You know it was intentional because she went out and bought a tarantula,' she stated. 'Those aren't accidents. Those are intentional acts.'

The judge blocked Simonetti's self-defence argument, asserting there was no evidence that she was under any threat throughout the incident.

In an interview with NBC News, Simonetti said she bought the tarantula from a pet store because Vasquez had 'barricaded herself in my basement like she had no intention of leaving.' Vasquez disputed that, asserting that she 'desperately wanted to [leave],' but could not because Simonetti had created 'a hostile environment.'

'I didn't refuse to leave. Only when she was arrested, I fled,' Vasquez explained.

Simonetti ran for Hennepin County commissioner in District 6, but lost to Heather Edelson in 2024. She is currently pursuing the US Senate seat held by Senator Tina Smith, who confirmed she will not be seeking reelection.

'I will be on the ballot for the United States Senate on November 3rd [2026],' Simonetti told KARE 11.

Simonetti is scheduled to be sentenced on 1 May.