A Minnesota political figure whose name recently surged across social media headlines has been found guilty in a case that blends local politics, landlord-tenant conflict and a moment that many online have described as surreal.
Marisa Simonetti, 32, was convicted March 13 on charges of harassment, assault and disorderly conduct following a 2024 incident at a home in Edina, according to multiple local reports.
The case centers on a dispute between Simonetti and an Airbnb guest, Jacklyn Vasquez, who had been renting a basement unit while studying for the bar exam. What began as a disagreement over the length of the stay—and complaints about a possible spider issue—quickly escalated into a series of confrontations that prosecutors described as deliberate harassment.
According to court filings, tensions rose after Vasquez raised concerns about “large spiders” in the unit and asked about pest control. On June 21, 2024, the situation intensified dramatically.
Vasquez made multiple 911 calls that day, reporting loud disturbances, including Simonetti banging pots and pans and shutting off the home’s internet while she was studying. Later, she alleged Simonetti entered the basement by dismantling a door with another individual.
Fearing for her safety, Vasquez retreated to her room but left her laptop recording near the staircase. The resulting footage—later shown in court—captured a chaotic scene: loud shouting, objects being thrown down the stairs and, eventually, Simonetti yelling about a “spider infestation” before dumping the contents of a container that included a live tarantula.
When officers arrived, they reported finding scattered debris including nails, tacks, small objects and the live spider moving among them.
Simonetti argued that her actions were driven by fear and frustration, claiming Vasquez refused to leave after her reservation was canceled. She also pointed to Edina’s restrictions on short-term rentals, which made the arrangement itself legally questionable.
In previous interviews, Simonetti said she felt overwhelmed and acted impulsively, even referencing childhood influences like the film Home Alone in explaining her attempt to scare the tenant into leaving.
Vasquez, however, disputed that narrative, saying she had intended to leave but felt trapped by what she described as an increasingly hostile environment.
The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, rejecting claims of self-defense. Simonetti, who represented herself after dismissing her attorney before trial, later told reporters she believed her lack of legal experience contributed to the outcome, saying simply: “I was just outplayed.”
At the time of the incident, Simonetti had been running for a seat in Hennepin County government, campaigning on themes of public safety, fiscal conservatism and property rights. Despite the conviction, she has since signaled ambitions for higher office, including a long-shot U.S. Senate run.
Simonetti now faces potential jail time, fines and probation, with sentencing scheduled for May 1.
Beyond the courtroom, the case has become a cautionary example of how personal disputes—especially those involving housing—can spiral into legal consequences, and how quickly an incident can move from a local conflict to a national talking point in the age of viral media.
