Badger DWI Case: Man Found Sleeping in Running Car

Badger DWI Case: Man Found Sleeping in Running Car

Badger (trfnews.i234.me) — A Roosevelt man is facing two gross misdemeanor DWI counts after a welfare check in Badger, according to a Roseau County District Court complaint.

Jaren Nicholas Palm, 21, was charged in Roseau County Court File No. 68-CR-26-268.

The complaint says the case began on May 7, 2026, at about 2:22 a.m.

Law enforcement was called to a property on 260th Street in Badger.

A caller reported a man had been sitting in a vehicle for hours.

The caller believed the man may have been intoxicated.

Dispatch requested a welfare check at the scene.

Complaint: Vehicle Was Running

According to the complaint, officers found a Chevrolet Malibu parked in a driveway.

The vehicle was running, and its taillights were on.

Palm was allegedly sleeping in the driver’s seat.

The complaint says an open bottle of Busch Light was in a cupholder.

Keys were also found in the ignition, according to court documents.

Officers reported smelling alcohol inside the vehicle.

Alcohol Test Results Listed

The complaint says Palm woke up and spoke with officers.

He reportedly said he was okay and did not need medical care.

When asked why he was in the car, Palm said he had keys for it.

He also said he had work the next day, according to the complaint.

Palm allegedly reported drinking earlier that evening.

He later said his last drink was around 8 p.m.

Officers noted signs of impairment during field testing, according to the complaint.

Palm reportedly said ankle injuries stopped him from doing some tests.

A preliminary breath test showed a result of .095 at the scene.

At the Roseau County Detention Center, a DataMaster test showed .08 at 3:30 a.m.

Two Gross Misdemeanor Counts Filed

Palm is charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

He is also charged with having an alcohol concentration of .08 within two hours.

The complaint cites Minnesota Statute 169A.20 and Minnesota Statute 169A.26.

Each count carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail.

Each count also carries a possible $3,000 fine.

The complaint lists a prior DWI conviction from November 13, 2025, in Roseau County.

That prior case is listed as an aggravating factor.

Court records may be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.

A criminal complaint is not a conviction.

Palm is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.