East Grand Forks Man Charged With Felony DWI

East Grand Forks, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — Aaron Ray Judge, 30, of Page, Arizona, is facing felony DWI charges in Polk County after an overnight traffic investigation.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Polk County District Court, Judge is charged with first-degree driving while impaired and first-degree refusal to submit to a breath test. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for driving an uninsured vehicle.

The charges stem from an incident reported on July 4, 2026, in East Grand Forks. Court documents state officers were called to the area of the Fairfield Inn for a suspicious vehicle.

Driver Found Unconscious In Running Vehicle

The complaint says a Nissan Rogue was found stopped in the eastbound lane of traffic on Gateway Drive NE. The vehicle was running, and Judge was sitting in the driver’s seat.

Authorities say Judge was initially unconscious inside the vehicle. After being awakened, he showed signs of possible impairment, according to the complaint.

The complaint states officers noticed slurred speech, slow movements, watery eyes, and the smell of alcohol. A 23.5-ounce alcoholic beverage was also found inside the vehicle.

Judge reportedly told authorities he had consumed the drink.

Breath Test Refusal Alleged

According to court records, Judge completed field sobriety testing. The complaint states officers observed multiple indicators of impairment.

Authorities say Judge was arrested for DWI and later transported for further testing.

The complaint states Judge was read the breath test advisory and was asked several times to provide a breath sample. Officials say he refused.

Aaron Ray Judge booking photo

Previous DWI History Cited

Prosecutors allege Judge has several prior impaired driving incidents within the past 10 years. Those include a DWI conviction in Arizona from 2017 and a felony DWI conviction from Maricopa County in 2024.

The complaint states prosecutors may seek a tougher sentence if Judge is convicted. The filing claims the case involves factors that make it more serious than a typical felony DWI offense.

The charges remain allegations, and Judge is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

More information about Minnesota court records is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.