Cass Lake Man Faces Felony DWI, Test Refusal

Cass Lake (trfnews.i234.me) — A Cass Lake man faces two felony DWI charges after an August incident.

The case was filed in Beltrami County District Court.

Andrew Harry Oehler is charged with first-degree DWI involving an alleged controlled substance.

He also faces felony test refusal and gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation as inimical to public safety.

The case began with a suspicious vehicle report late August 3, 2026.

Deputies Find Driver in Running Pickup

According to the complaint, deputies responded around 10:19 p.m. to private property in Beltrami County.

A caller reported seeing a green pickup on security cameras and believed Oehler was driving it.

Authorities arrived and found the pickup running in a driveway.

Oehler was alone in the driver’s seat and appeared to be asleep, according to the complaint.

Investigators said he did not immediately wake despite headlights, a flashlight, and repeated calls of his name.

When he woke, Oehler said he did not need medical help.

The complaint says his eyes appeared glassy and red.

Investigators also reported slurred speech.

Oehler said he was fine and was only tired.

He was arrested for driving after cancellation because his driving privileges were canceled, court records state.

Deputies Suspect Drug Impairment

Field sobriety testing was not completed at the scene because conditions were unsuitable.

During transport, Oehler allegedly slumped forward and appeared to fall asleep again.

At the jail, he denied using any substance that could impair him.

He also declined field sobriety testing, according to the complaint.

Based on the investigation, authorities arrested Oehler for suspected DWI.

Urine Sample Raises Questions

A judge later approved a search warrant for a blood or urine sample.

The complaint says Oehler agreed to provide urine.

An investigator reported the sample felt unusually cool and questioned whether it had been altered.

Oehler denied adding water or otherwise tampering with the sample.

Authorities then asked him to provide blood to address concerns about the urine sample.

The complaint says Oehler refused the blood draw.

The urine sample was still submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.

The complaint does not list a laboratory result.

Prior Felony DWIs Elevate Charges

Oehler has two prior first-degree DWI convictions from December 2021, according to the complaint.

Those prior felony convictions are cited as the basis for the current first-degree DWI charges.

Each felony DWI count carries up to seven years in prison and a possible $14,000 fine.

The driving-after-cancellation count carries up to 364 days in jail and a possible $3,000 fine.

Readers can review Minnesota’s DWI statute.

The first-degree DWI statute is also available online.

Readers can also review Minnesota’s driving-without-a-valid-license law.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The case is filed under Beltrami County court file number 04-CR-26-1798.

The charges and supporting claims are allegations and do not establish guilt.

Oehler is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.