Thief River Falls Man Faces Ignition Interlock Charge

THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Jared Thomas Swanson, 40, faces a gross misdemeanor charge involving an alleged ignition interlock violation.

The charge stems from a June 26, 2026, traffic investigation in Thief River Falls.

According to a Pennington County criminal complaint, Swanson allegedly drove a vehicle without a required ignition interlock device.

The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 57-CR-26-475.

Early Morning Traffic Investigation

The complaint states that an officer was patrolling Thief River Falls around 3:26 a.m. on June 26.

The officer observed a vehicle traveling west on First Street before turning south onto St. Paul Avenue.

The vehicle then parked in a residential driveway.

According to court documents, the officer recognized the driver as Jared Thomas Swanson.

The officer reportedly knew Swanson’s driving privileges had been revoked.

After approaching Swanson, the officer detained him while checking his driving status.

Swanson allegedly told the officer he did not know his license had been revoked.

License Revocation and Ignition Interlock Requirement

A records check showed Swanson’s driving privileges had been revoked on June 9, 2026.

The complaint states the revocation was connected to a DWI-related event.

Records also showed Swanson was required to use an ignition interlock device.

An ignition interlock device requires a driver to provide a breath sample before starting a vehicle.

These devices help enforce driving restrictions for certain people with impaired-driving histories.

Investigators alleged Swanson’s vehicle did not have the required device installed.

He reportedly maintained that he had never received notice of the license revocation.

Vehicle Search Reveals Marijuana Items

The complaint states the officer noticed possible signs of impairment while speaking with Swanson.

The officer then conducted field sobriety testing.

During a subsequent vehicle search, police reportedly found a glass marijuana pipe and a small bag of improperly packaged marijuana.

Both items were located inside the glove box, according to the complaint.

Swanson reportedly provided a White Earth medical cannabis card.

The officer explained Minnesota’s marijuana packaging laws before arresting Swanson for the alleged ignition interlock violation.

The supplied complaint does not list a separate cannabis-related charge.

Dispute Over Revocation Notice

Swanson allegedly told police he had not been informed about his revoked driving privileges.

The complaint describes an earlier attempt by another deputy to provide that notice.

That deputy reportedly forwarded revocation paperwork to the jail where Swanson had previously been held.

The deputy requested that the documents be placed with Swanson’s personal property.

A driving record review also showed that a notice was sent on June 9, 2026.

The complaint does not establish whether Swanson personally received or reviewed those documents.

Gross Misdemeanor Charge and Court Case

Swanson was taken to the Pennington County Jail, where he was booked and released.

He faces one gross misdemeanor charge under Minnesota Statute 171.09, subdivision 1(g).

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

The court issued a summons in the case. The provided complaint does not list a hearing date.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The allegation remains unproven, and Swanson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.