Akeley: Billie Joe Large Faces Felony Drug DWI

AKELEY TOWNSHIP, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — Billie Joe Large, 37, of Blackduck, faces a first-degree felony driving while impaired charge in Hubbard County.

The charge follows an October 11, 2026, traffic stop near Highway 64 and County Road 23.

Prosecutors allege Large operated a vehicle with a prohibited controlled substance or its metabolite in his system.

The complaint also cites three previous impaired-driving-related license revocations.

Expired Registration Leads to Traffic Stop

According to court documents, a Hubbard County sheriff’s deputy was traveling north on State Highway 64.

The deputy spotted a silver sedan traveling south with registration tabs that appeared outdated.

After turning around, the deputy checked the vehicle’s registration.

The registration check reportedly showed that the vehicle’s registration had expired in 2020.

The deputy stopped the sedan near Highway 64 and County Road 23 in Akeley Township.

Large was identified as the driver.

He reportedly told the deputy he lacked a valid driver’s license and believed it was revoked.

Deputy Reports Signs of Possible Impairment

The complaint states that the deputy observed rapid speech, glossy eyes, enlarged pupils, and clammy skin.

These observations raised concerns about possible controlled substance impairment.

Large was asked to exit the vehicle for field sobriety testing.

During one test, the deputy observed Large sway, use his arms for balance, and lower his foot.

Large told the deputy he had a foot condition that affected his balance.

The deputy also reported eyelid tremors and unusual pupil reactions during testing.

However, the horizontal gaze nystagmus test did not reveal nystagmus.

Large Questioned About Methamphetamine Use

The deputy questioned Large about possible controlled substance use.

According to the complaint, Large said he last used methamphetamine approximately 10 months earlier.

When asked whether he would test positive for drugs, Large reportedly said he should not.

The deputy subsequently placed Large under arrest.

Authorities transported him to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids.

A search warrant was obtained for blood or urine testing.

The complaint states Large refused a blood sample but agreed to provide urine.

A urine sample was eventually collected.

The supplied complaint does not include laboratory results or identify any substance detected in that sample.

Three Earlier License Revocations Cited

Prosecutors cite three previous implied consent license revocations involving Beltrami County incidents.

The reported incidents occurred April 30, 2020, July 28, 2020, and December 30, 2021.

The complaint also identifies a fourth-degree DWI conviction entered in January 2023.

Under Minnesota law, three qualifying prior impaired-driving incidents within the applicable 10-year period can support first-degree DWI charges.

These previous incidents are central to the felony classification alleged by prosecutors.

Felony DWI Carries Up to Seven Years

Large is charged under Minnesota Statute 169A.20.

The offense is classified as first-degree DWI under Minnesota Statute 169A.24.

A conviction can carry up to seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine, or both.

These penalties are possible consequences, not a sentence imposed against Large.

Hubbard County Court Case

The criminal complaint is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

The case is identified as 29-CR-26-945.

The complaint is marked as an order of detention.

The supplied pages do not include a scheduled hearing date or final case disposition.

Readers can search for updates through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The accusations remain allegations and have not been proven in the current case.

Large is presumed innocent of the pending charge unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.