Audubon Traffic Stop Leads to Gun Charge

Audubon, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fargo man faces a gross misdemeanor gun charge following a traffic stop in Becker County.

Edward Lyle Wilt, 61, was charged with carrying or possessing a pistol without a permit. The charge was filed in Becker County District Court.

The case remains pending. Wilt is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Traffic Stop Near Audubon

The alleged incident happened on May 23, 2026, near Audubon.

According to the complaint, a deputy saw a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign. The stop happened near County Highway 11 and County Highway 6.

The vehicle also allegedly had a license plate light that was not working.

The deputy stopped the vehicle and identified Wilt as the driver.

Court records state that a black handgun was visible on the back seat. The pistol was not inside a holster or carrying case.

The deputy asked Wilt to leave the vehicle and then searched it, the complaint states.

Authorities reported finding a black Ruger LCP .380-caliber pistol.

The magazine allegedly held five rounds. Another round was reportedly loaded inside the chamber.

Wilt allegedly said the pistol belonged to him after receiving a Miranda warning.

He reportedly said he usually stored the firearm at home or inside his trunk.

Wilt said he moved golf clubs into the back seat after placing a cooler inside the trunk. The firearm was allegedly stored inside his golf bag.

The complaint states Wilt did not have a current permit to carry. He allegedly said his last permit expired seven or eight years earlier.

Wilt is charged under Minnesota’s law covering pistols carried without a permit.

Readers can review Minnesota Statute 624.714 through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.

The complaint lists a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online. The Becker County case number is 03-CR-26-1068.

A criminal complaint contains allegations. It does not represent a finding of guilt.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.