Roseau County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Badger man is facing several charges after a traffic stop in Roseau County, according to a criminal complaint filed in Minnesota District Court.
DILLON DALE HOWELL, 31, of Badger, is charged with driving after cancellation inimical to public safety, driving without a required ignition interlock device, transporting a loaded firearm, and speeding.
Traffic Stop Led To Charges
The complaint says the stop happened on November 3, 2025, at about 7:58 a.m. A Minnesota State Patrol trooper was traveling on County Road 2 near 330th Avenue when he saw an eastbound vehicle moving at a high speed.
Radar showed the vehicle was going 72 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone, according to the complaint. The trooper then stopped the vehicle.
Authorities identified the driver as Dillon Dale Howell. The complaint says Howell did not have his driver’s license with him at the time of the stop. He instead gave his name and date of birth.
Loaded Shotgun Found In Vehicle
During the stop, the trooper saw an uncased shotgun with a camouflage pattern on the passenger seat, the complaint says.
According to the filing, the trooper asked whether the firearm was unloaded. When the action was opened, a shotgun shell came out of the chamber. The complaint says the gun was loaded with three rounds before it was cleared.
Howell told the trooper that a friend had put the firearm in the vehicle the day before. He said he believed it was unloaded, according to the complaint.
Minnesota law limits how firearms may be carried in a vehicle. More information is available through the Minnesota firearm transport statute.
License Status And Interlock Issue
The complaint also says Howell’s driving status was canceled as inimical to public safety. Court records say he also had a restriction requiring an ignition interlock device.
Authorities learned the vehicle did not have that system installed, according to the complaint.
The charges linked to those allegations include driving after cancellation and violating an ignition interlock restriction.
The complaint says the vehicle’s plates were removed, and Howell arranged for transportation from the scene. The vehicle was left off the roadway and was not blocking traffic.
What Happens Next
Gross misdemeanor charges can carry serious penalties if there is a conviction. Court proceedings will determine how the case moves forward. Case information is generally handled through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
As with all criminal cases, the charges against Howell are allegations at this stage. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
