- A jury convicted Marisa Simonetti for throwing a live tarantula at her Airbnb guest.
- The victim Jackie Vasquez recorded the attack while studying for the bar exam.
- Simonetti represented herself at trial and lost on all three criminal charges.
- She faces sentencing May 1 ending her US Senate campaign ambitions.
The banging started before dawn. Jackie Vasquez, trapped in a basement Airbnb, listened to pots clang and a woman scream hallelujahs above her head. Then came the spider.
That creature, a live tarantula purchased from a pet store, became the shocking weapon in a dispute that would destroy a political career. Marisa Simonetti, 32, now holds a criminal record instead of a Senate seat.
What Happened During the Tarantula Throwing Incident with Marisa Simonetti?
The chaos unfolded June 21, 2024, in Edina, Minnesota. Simonetti, enraged over a rental dispute, began banging pots while her tenant cowered downstairs trying to study for the bar exam.
Video captured the moment she tossed the live arachnid onto the staircase. Simonetti yelled “spider infestation” as tacks, toys and an unknown substance rained down behind the tarantula.
Who Was the Airbnb Tenant Jackie Vasquez and Her Experience?
Jackie Vasquez, an attorney studying for her bar exam, rented the basement space expecting quiet. Instead she got terrorized by a landlord who admitted being inspired by the movie “Home Alone.”
Vasquez hid in her bedroom after Simonetti and a man breached the door. She left her laptop recording, capturing evidence that would later convict her attacker on all counts.
What Were the Exact Charges in Marisa Simonetti’s Assault Case?
Jurors found Marisa Simonetti guilty of gross misdemeanor harassment causing reasonable fear of bodily harm. They also convicted her of misdemeanor domestic assault and disorderly conduct.
The prosecution argued Simonetti intentionally bought the tarantula to frighten her guest. Simonetti, representing herself after firing her lawyer, admitted her actions appeared “quite outrageous” but claimed no criminal intent.
What Does the Conviction Mean for Marisa Simonetti’s Future?
Simonetti now faces sentencing on May 1 with a pre-sentence investigation ordered by the judge. Her quixotic US Senate campaign appears doomed before takeoff.
She previously filed a $28 million lawsuit against Vasquez and police claiming harassment. After the guilty verdict, she told reporters she was simply “outplayed” by prosecutors.
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Last Updated on March 17, 2026 by 247 News Around The World
