Blackduck Man Charged With DWI After .16 BAC Test
Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Blackduck man is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after authorities say he was found driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit.
Joshua Joseph Kern, 47, of Blackduck, Minnesota, is charged in Beltrami County District Court with DWI — operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher within two hours of driving.
The charge comes from an incident reported on June 27, 2026, in Beltrami County. Court documents state the case includes an aggravating factor, which increased the level of the offense.
Vehicle Reported Driving Into a Ditch
According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement responded to a report of a dark-colored Dodge repeatedly driving into a ditch.
The vehicle was later stopped on Highway 71 in Beltrami County at about 10:45 p.m.
Authorities identified Kern as the driver. The complaint states Kern was not cooperative during the stop and was placed in handcuffs.
After the scene was secured, deputies reported observing signs that they believed showed possible impairment.
The complaint states Kern had slurred speech and red, watery eyes.
Investigators said Kern admitted consuming alcohol before the incident.
Breath Test Shows .16 Alcohol Level
Kern agreed to perform field sobriety testing, according to court records.
The complaint states that deputies observed additional signs of impairment during the testing.
Kern provided a preliminary breath test sample that reportedly showed a reading of .162.
Booking photo of Joshua Joseph Kern. Courtesy of public records.
Kern was arrested and taken to the Beltrami County Jail.
At the jail, authorities read Kern the breath test advisory. Court documents state he was allowed time to speak with an attorney.
Kern then agreed to provide a breath sample.
The complaint states that a DMT breath test recorded an alcohol concentration of .16 at approximately 12:17 a.m.
Court Case Pending
The charge against Kern is a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota law.
A gross misdemeanor DWI conviction may carry penalties of up to 364 days in jail, a fine of up to $3,000, or both.
Kern remains charged unless and until the case is resolved in court.
Court records are available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.