Brainerd Incident Leads to Felony DWI Charge
Brainerd (trfnews.i234.me) — A Wisconsin man faces four charges following an incident involving his children in Crow Wing County.
Jesse Charles Witt, 45, is charged in Crow Wing County District Court.
The most serious count is felony driving while impaired by a controlled substance.
He also faces child endangerment and two misdemeanor domestic assault charges.
The alleged offenses happened on August 31, 2026.
Domestic Complaint Reported
Authorities responded around 7:20 p.m. to a reported domestic incident in Crow Wing Township.
Witt’s wife reported that he had thrown their older son to the ground.
She said Witt then left in a pickup with another child.
Investigators later interviewed two children who had been at the residence.
The complaint says Witt became upset during a conversation with them.
One child said Witt grabbed his shoulder and threw him to the ground.
Witt allegedly placed that child in a headlock.
The complaint says Witt then grabbed another child and began fighting with him.
Both children reported being afraid during the incident.
Police Locate Witt in Merrifield
Other officers later located Witt in Merrifield with the younger child.
The child appeared upset and had reportedly vomited, according to court records.
Emergency medical workers examined the child and transported him to an emergency room.
Police reported that Witt showed several signs they believed indicated possible impairment.
Witt denied using drugs or alcohol that day.
He later said he had last used methamphetamine about three days earlier.
Authorities conducted several field sobriety tests.
The complaint says Witt displayed clues of impairment during those tests.
A preliminary breath test registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.00.
Blood Sample Taken After Warrant
Witt was arrested on suspicion of controlled-substance DWI.
Authorities obtained a search warrant for a blood or urine sample.
Witt provided a blood sample at a hospital, according to the complaint.
The complaint does not provide laboratory results from that sample.
Prosecutors charged Witt under Minnesota’s DWI law.
The felony DWI count carries up to seven years in prison.
It also carries a possible fine of up to $14,000.
The complaint cites a 2006 felony DWI conviction as part of the current felony charge.
The child endangerment count carries up to 364 days in jail.
Each domestic assault count carries up to 90 days in jail.
Criminal charges are allegations. Witt is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
More information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
