Waubun Man Faces DWI, Gun Charges After Stop

Mahnomen County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Waubun man faces six charges after a December traffic stop on U.S. Highway 59.

Anthony Ray Lague Jr. is charged in Mahnomen County District Court. The court file number is 44-CR-25-924.

The complaint includes two gross misdemeanor charges. They allege impaired driving and refusal to take a breath test.

Four misdemeanor charges also were filed. They involve insurance, an open bottle, a revoked license, and firearm transport.

Highway 59 Driving Complaint

A caller reported a green Suburban driving north near the Mahnomen airport. The caller said the vehicle crossed roadway lines several times.

The complaint says the vehicle nearly struck another vehicle. It later turned into a residence along Highway 59.

An officer contacted Lague after stopping behind the vehicle. An 8-year-old child was also inside, according to the complaint.

The officer reported smelling alcohol and seeing bloodshot, watery eyes. Lague allegedly said he had consumed beer earlier that day.

The complaint says Lague declined a preliminary breath test. He also reported injuries that affected his walking ability.

Police arrested Lague and searched the vehicle. The search allegedly found an open bottle of Fireball Whisky.

Officers also reported finding a .204-caliber Savage rifle in a soft case. The complaint says a live round was chambered.

Three additional rounds were reportedly inside the rifle. Lague allegedly said the gun belonged to him.

He also said he did not know the rifle was loaded. Police took him to the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office.

The complaint says Lague received Minnesota’s breath-test advisory. He was given access to a telephone and legal directories.

Lague later declined the requested breath test, according to the complaint.

Prosecutors cited two alleged aggravating factors for the DWI count. They include a prior impaired-driving incident and a child passenger.

The gross misdemeanor counts cite Minnesota’s DWI statute and aggravating-factor law.

Each gross misdemeanor carries a possible 364-day jail term. Each also carries a possible $3,000 fine.

The other counts involve Minnesota’s vehicle insurance law and open bottle law.

The misdemeanor counts each carry up to 90 days in jail. They also carry possible fines of up to $1,000.

The charges are accusations and have not been proven in court. Lague is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.