Becker County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Mahnomen man faces two gross misdemeanor DWI charges following a Becker County traffic stop.
Jesse Ray Jerome, 43, is accused of driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
The charges stem from an October 22, 2026, traffic stop involving a pickup truck.
According to court documents, Jerome reportedly admitted using methamphetamine before his arrest.
The criminal complaint also identifies two previous DWI convictions within the past 10 years.
Pickup Stopped for Traffic Violations
According to the complaint, a Becker County sheriff’s deputy was conducting routine patrol on October 22.
The deputy noticed a pickup truck without a functioning third brake light.
The vehicle also reportedly made a turn without signaling.
The deputy stopped the pickup and identified the driver as Jesse Ray Jerome.
During the stop, Jerome reportedly said he did not have a valid driver’s license or vehicle insurance.
The deputy also observed that Jerome had rapid speech and glossy eyes.
Those observations led to further questions about possible drug impairment.
Driver Allegedly Admits Methamphetamine Use
According to the complaint, the deputy asked Jerome to exit the pickup for field sobriety testing.
While exiting, Jerome reportedly admitted using methamphetamine.
The deputy then conducted several tests to check for possible impairment.
During the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the deputy reported no standardized clues of impairment.
However, the deputy observed unusual eye movements and a slow reaction to light.
Field Sobriety Tests Lead to Arrest
The deputy continued testing Jerome using the walk-and-turn and one-leg-stand tests.
According to court documents, Jerome displayed signs of possible impairment during both tests.
The deputy also conducted a modified Romberg test.
During that test, Jerome reportedly misjudged the passage of time by approximately five seconds.
The deputy then examined Jerome’s tongue and reported observing marks described as heat bumps.
Based on the investigation, the deputy arrested Jerome on suspicion of DWI.
Urine Sample Collected Under Search Warrant
After the arrest, investigators obtained a DWI search warrant from a judge.
Jerome was presented with the warrant and agreed to provide a urine sample.
The complaint states the sample would be sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.
The supplied court document does not include laboratory results confirming any controlled substance in Jerome’s system.
Two Gross Misdemeanor DWI Charges Filed
Prosecutors charged Jerome with two DWI offenses arising from the same traffic stop.
The first alleges driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
The second alleges driving with a prohibited Schedule I or II controlled substance or metabolite in his body.
Both counts reference Minnesota Statute 169A.20.
The charges also reference Minnesota’s second-degree DWI law.
Prosecutors identify two earlier DWI convictions as aggravating factors.
Those convictions are listed under court file numbers 15-CR-22-139 and 04-CR-21-787.
Each charge carries a listed maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Becker County Court Proceedings
The case is filed in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District under court file number 03-CR-26-2076.
The complaint is designated as an order-of-detention matter.
The supplied document does not establish Jerome’s current custody status, plea, or final court outcome.
Readers can search for updates through Minnesota Court Records Online.
All charges remain allegations. Jerome is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
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