Moorhead: Nile Watson Faces Felony DWI, Test Refusal

Moorhead, Clay County (trfnews.i234.me) — Nile Estwon Watson was booked on September 7, 2026.

Watson, 49, is listed with two DWI-related charges in the Clay County inmate roster.

The charges include first-degree DWI involving alcohol.

He also faces a charge for allegedly refusing to submit to chemical testing.

The Moorhead Police Department is listed as the arresting agency.

Watson’s booking time was listed as 8:34 p.m.

First-Degree DWI Charge Listed

Minnesota law classifies first-degree driving while impaired as a felony.

Several circumstances can lead to a first-degree DWI charge.

One involves three or more qualifying impaired-driving incidents within a ten-year period.

Another involves a previous felony first-degree DWI conviction.

Nile Estwon Watson — Clay County booking photo

Certain other prior felony impaired-driving convictions can also qualify.

The jail roster does not identify which factor applies in Watson’s case.

It also does not provide Watson’s alleged alcohol concentration.

No detailed account of the alleged driving incident appears in the information provided.

Readers can review Minnesota Statute 169A.24 for first-degree DWI law.

The second charge alleges Watson refused to submit to chemical testing.

Minnesota law makes certain chemical test refusals a criminal offense.

The law covers refusing a breath test required under Minnesota’s impaired-driving laws.

It also covers certain blood or urine tests required under a search warrant.

The roster does not identify which type of test Watson allegedly refused.

Readers can review Minnesota Statute 169A.20 for additional details.

First-degree DWI can carry up to seven years in prison after conviction.

Minnesota law also allows a fine of up to $14,000.

Those are maximum penalties and do not represent Watson’s sentence.

A court would determine any penalty after the legal process is completed.

A jail booking does not establish guilt.

Watson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Charges can change as prosecutors review evidence and proceedings continue.

Public case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

Readers can also visit the Clay County Correctional Facility website.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.