Warren, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) A Warren man is facing gross misdemeanor charges after a reported disturbance at a gas station in Marshall County led to a DWI arrest, according to a criminal complaint filed in Minnesota District Court.
Jesse Lee Francis, 37, of Alvarado, is charged with second-degree driving while impaired and third-degree driving while impaired for refusing a chemical test. The complaint says the case stems from events on January 24, 2020, in Warren.
Disturbance Call Led To Investigation
According to the complaint, law enforcement was called to the Jet Stop gas station in Warren for a disturbance. A customer said Francis was trying to start a fight. Store worker Aaron Delisle also said Francis was yelling and making provocative comments inside the business.
The complaint says Francis left before authorities arrived. He later returned to the gas station and stopped at a pump. That is when an officer made contact with him.
Court records say Francis was driving a 1989 Buick LeSabre. The vehicle was listed as registered to Tammy Vanyo. Francis reportedly said he had bought the car weeks earlier and had not yet transferred the title.
Signs Of Impairment Noted
The complaint says the officer noticed several signs of drinking. Those signs included slurred speech, watery and bloodshot eyes, and poor balance. The report also says open alcohol containers were seen in the front seat.
Francis allegedly told authorities he had consumed mixed drinks earlier at Mick’s Bar and Grill in Warren.
Investigators then asked Francis to complete field sobriety tests. The complaint states he failed multiple tests, including the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the one-leg stand test, and the walk-and-turn test.
The complaint also says a preliminary breath test showed a result of .232.
Jail Incident And Refusal Allegation
After the arrest, Francis was taken to the Marshall County Jail, the complaint says. There, he was read Minnesota’s implied consent advisory. More about that law can be found in the Minnesota Statutes.
According to the complaint, Francis did not agree to take a breath test. The filing says he was asked several times but did not give a clear answer. He allegedly asked for a blood test instead and became upset.
The complaint also states Francis became combative in the holding area and had to be restrained.
Prior Conviction Cited
Prosecutors say Francis has a prior DWI conviction in South Dakota from 2014. That prior offense is listed as an aggravating factor in the current case.
Second-degree DWI and third-degree DWI in this case are both listed as gross misdemeanors. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine, according to the complaint.
All charges are allegations. Francis is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
