CROOKSTON, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Crookston man faces a gross misdemeanor charge after a traffic stop revealed his vehicle insurance had expired.
Djai Dvossiai Mackatori Johnson Jr., 27, of Crookston, is charged with operating a motor vehicle without insurance.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Polk County District Court, Johnson also has several previous convictions for insurance-related violations.
Officer Clocks Vehicle at 46 MPH
On October 16, 2026, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Crookston police were patrolling South Main Street.
An officer observed a northbound vehicle appearing to travel faster than the posted speed limit.
The officer activated his radar equipment and recorded the vehicle traveling 46 mph in a 30-mph zone.
According to court documents, the officer turned around, activated his emergency lights, and conducted a traffic stop.
Driver Provides Limited License
During the stop, police identified the driver as Johnson.
Johnson provided paper copies of a limited Minnesota driver’s license.
The officer then requested proof of vehicle insurance.
According to the complaint, Johnson began logging into an application on his cellphone.
He initially indicated that he had insurance coverage through Progressive.
Insurance Coverage Had Expired
While investigating, the officer checked Johnson’s driving record.
The records revealed previous insurance violations and driving-after-revocation entries.
The officer also learned that Johnson had previously provided insurance documentation to obtain his limited license.
When the officer returned to the vehicle, Johnson reportedly acknowledged that his insurance had lapsed.
The officer examined the insurance information displayed on Johnson’s phone.
According to the complaint, the coverage had expired on September 30, 2026, because of nonpayment.
That date was approximately 16 days before the traffic stop.
Four Previous Insurance Convictions Cited
Investigators reviewed Johnson’s previous driving-related convictions.
The complaint identifies four previous convictions involving failure to maintain vehicle insurance.
Two were classified as gross misdemeanors, while two were misdemeanors.
The previous cases are listed as follows:
- 60-CR-25-438: Gross misdemeanor insurance violation.
- 60-CR-23-1909: Gross misdemeanor insurance violation.
- 60-VB-22-190: Misdemeanor insurance violation.
- 60-VB-22-110: Misdemeanor insurance violation.
Prosecutors cite the previous convictions as grounds for the enhanced gross misdemeanor charge.
Gross Misdemeanor Charge Filed
Johnson is charged under Minnesota Statute 169.797, which addresses operating vehicles without required insurance coverage.
Under Minnesota law, repeated qualifying insurance violations can elevate the offense from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor.
A conviction carries a maximum possible penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
The supplied complaint lists one criminal count involving vehicle insurance.
It does not list a separate speeding charge.
Polk County Court Case
The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 60-CR-26-1594.
The criminal complaint lists a summons for Johnson.
The allegations have not been proven in court. Johnson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Additional case information can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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