Mahnomen Man Faces Charge After Highway 59 Traffic Stop

MAHNOMEN, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Justin Cody Hawpetoss, 38, faces a gross misdemeanor charge following an early morning traffic stop in Mahnomen.

According to a Mahnomen County criminal complaint, deputies discovered that Hawpetoss had canceled driving privileges.

The incident happened August 19, 2026, shortly after midnight near U.S. Highway 59.

Authorities also discovered an outstanding Clay County warrant during the investigation.

Deputy Observes Vehicle Leaving Hotel Parking Lot

The traffic stop began around 12:01 a.m. while a deputy monitored vehicles in Mahnomen.

According to court documents, the deputy observed a vehicle leaving the Stardust Hotel parking lot.

The vehicle approached a stop sign before turning onto U.S. Highway 59.

The deputy reported that the driver failed to stop at the sign.

After observing the alleged traffic violation, the deputy activated emergency lights and stopped the vehicle.

The driver was identified as Justin Cody Hawpetoss.

License Check Reveals Canceled Driving Privileges

During the stop, the deputy requested information about Hawpetoss and his driving status.

Dispatch reported that his driving privileges were canceled under a designation known as “inimical to public safety.”

This designation means the state has determined a person does not qualify for driving privileges under specified public safety rules.

The complaint alleges Hawpetoss operated the vehicle despite having reason to know about the cancellation.

The document does not identify when his license was canceled.

It also does not explain the circumstances that originally led to the cancellation.

Clay County Warrant Discovered

The records check also revealed an outstanding warrant from Clay County.

According to the complaint, deputies arrested Hawpetoss following the traffic stop.

He was transported to the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office for processing.

Hawpetoss was booked and released on the gross misdemeanor driving charge.

Authorities then transferred him to the Northwest Regional Corrections Center because of the Clay County warrant.

The complaint does not identify the charge or case connected to that warrant.

It also does not establish Hawpetoss’ current custody status.

What Does Driving After Cancellation Mean?

Minnesota law prohibits driving when a person’s license has been canceled or denied under certain public safety provisions.

The relevant law is Minnesota Statute 171.24, subdivision 5.

The offense applies when a driver knew or reasonably should have known about the cancellation.

Violations under this subdivision are classified as gross misdemeanors.

The charge is more serious than an ordinary misdemeanor driving after cancellation offense.

Gross Misdemeanor Charge Filed

Hawpetoss faces one count of driving after cancellation as inimical to public safety.

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

Any sentence would depend on a conviction and the court’s final decision.

The supplied complaint does not list an additional charge for the alleged stop-sign violation.

Mahnomen County Court Proceedings

The case is filed under Mahnomen County Court File No. 44-CR-26-523.

The complaint includes a summons and identifies Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

No scheduled court appearance is provided in the supplied document.

Additional information may become available through court hearings or later filings.

Readers can search public case information through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The charge remains an allegation and does not establish guilt.

Hawpetoss is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.