BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Red Lake man faces a gross misdemeanor drug-related DWI charge following a traffic stop on Highway 89.
According to court documents, a preliminary breath test showed no alcohol. However, a state trooper reported observing signs of possible drug impairment.
Fernando Louis May-Gil-Garcia, 41, of Red Lake, is charged with operating a motor vehicle with a prohibited controlled substance in his system.
Trooper Stops Vehicle on Highway 89
According to the criminal complaint, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper was patrolling Highway 89 on August 22, 2026.
The trooper noticed a slow-moving vehicle without a front license plate.
While following the vehicle, the trooper observed it cross the fog line.
The vehicle displayed temporary Minnesota registration.
After entering a plate number, the trooper received information indicating the registered owner’s driving privileges were suspended.
The trooper then stopped the vehicle in Beltrami County.
Driver Shows Signs of Possible Impairment
The driver was identified as May-Gil-Garcia.
During the stop, the trooper reportedly noticed that May-Gil-Garcia appeared jittery and had bloodshot, watery eyes.
His hands were also shaking, according to the complaint.
The trooper suspected possible impairment and asked May-Gil-Garcia to exit the vehicle.
May-Gil-Garcia agreed to participate in field sobriety testing.
According to court documents, the trooper observed additional signs of possible impairment during those tests.
Breath Test Shows No Alcohol
A preliminary breath test reportedly produced a reading of 0.00.
Despite the absence of detected alcohol, the trooper arrested May-Gil-Garcia on suspicion of impaired driving.
A preliminary breath test measures alcohol rather than the presence of other controlled substances.
Another deputy later arrived and informed the trooper that the registration number initially entered was incorrect.
The complaint acknowledges this mistake but does not provide further details about its effect on the investigation.
Search Warrant Obtained for Urine Sample
Following the arrest, the trooper obtained a judicial search warrant for a urine sample.
May-Gil-Garcia was informed of the warrant and advised that refusing the required test was a crime.
According to the complaint, he provided a urine sample.
The supplied complaint does not identify a specific controlled substance or provide laboratory testing results.
Previous DWI Convictions Listed
The criminal complaint references May-Gil-Garcia’s previous criminal history.
Court records cited in the filing include prior DWI convictions associated with cases from 2008 and 2025.
The complaint also references a previous fleeing conviction and a separate theft conviction.
Investigators listed these records as part of the probable cause documentation.
Gross Misdemeanor Charge Filed
May-Gil-Garcia faces one gross misdemeanor DWI count under Minnesota Statute 169A.20.
The charge alleges driving with a prohibited Schedule I or II controlled substance or its metabolite in his body.
The complaint also alleges an aggravating factor.
The offense carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
The filing lists August 24, 2026, as the offense date, although the narrative describes an August 22 traffic stop.
The reason for the difference is not explained.
The case is filed in Beltrami County District Court under number 04-CR-26-2008.
The charge remains an allegation. May-Gil-Garcia is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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