Clearwater County (trfnews.i234.me) – A Bagley man is facing gross misdemeanor second-degree DWI charges after police say he was impaired by controlled substances during a traffic stop in Clearwater County.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the Ninth Judicial District Court, the incident occurred on July 21, 2025, when Officer Kenneth Olson of the Bagley Police Department stopped a Chevy Trailblazer on Central Street for a seat belt violation and a non-functioning brake light.
The driver, identified as Jody Ray Lafriniere, 55, admitted he did not have a valid license and displayed signs of impairment, including fidgeting and difficulty standing still. Lafriniere also had active warrants out of Mahnomen County.
During field sobriety testing, Lafriniere showed multiple indicators of impairment and was arrested. A blood sample was collected under a search warrant for testing at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Court records indicate Lafriniere has two prior impaired driving convictions — from 2016 and 2019 — which elevated this charge to second-degree DWI. He also has pending assault and controlled substance cases that have been at warrant status since 2022.
If convicted, Lafriniere faces up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine. The case is filed under 15-CR-25-310 in Clearwater County District Court.