Red Lake County (trfnews.i234.me) — Authorities have charged Joshua Steven Anderson, 39, of St. Hilaire.
He faces one gross misdemeanor count of third-degree DWI. The complaint cites an alcohol concentration of 0.08 within two hours. He also faces one misdemeanor count for transporting a loaded firearm while hunting.
What investigators say happened
According to the complaint, the call came on January 8, 2026. The time was about 11:20 a.m. An off-duty deputy reported a pickup in a ditch along Highway 92.
A responding deputy found a white 1995 GMC Sierra still running. The truck was near Highway 92 and 240th Street SE. Investigators say Anderson was the driver.
The deputy reported Anderson got out of the truck. He then walked up the ditch bank. The deputy said Anderson struggled with balance. The deputy also noted slurred speech and a strong smell of alcohol.
The complaint says Anderson first denied drinking alcohol.
Knife and handgun reported
Officers did a pat search for safety, the complaint says. They reported finding a knife in Anderson’s pocket.
Investigators then searched the truck, according to the complaint. They reported an unholstered handgun on the driver’s side floor. Authorities also say the handgun was loaded.
Breath test results
Deputies asked Anderson to do field sobriety tests. The complaint says he showed signs of impairment. It says he did not follow an officer’s finger during an eye test.
Prosecutors say a preliminary breath test read 0.255 at the scene.
Anderson was arrested and taken to the Red Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The complaint says he was read Minnesota’s implied consent advisory. It says he agreed to a breath test.
A DataMaster test ran at about 12:42 p.m., according to the complaint. The test showed 0.21 within two hours. That is nearly three times Minnesota’s 0.08 legal limit.
Court and case details
- Offense date: January 8, 2026
- Date filed: January 14, 2026
- Charging method: Summons
Judge Corey A. Harbott signed the probable cause finding and summons. The case is being handled by the Red Lake County Attorney’s Office.
The complaint says Anderson’s license was invalidated. It also says his license plates were ordered to be impounded.
External resources
Read the Minnesota DWI statute (169A.20).
Read the loaded firearm transport law (97B.045).
More traffic safety information is available from the Minnesota DPS Office of Traffic Safety.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.