Crookston: Felony Threats Case After DWI Crash

Crookston: Felony Threats Case After DWI Crash
Crookston: Felony Threats Case After DWI Crash

Polk County (trfnews.i234.me) — Prosecutors have filed a felony complaint in Polk County District Court after a reported crash and arrest in Crookston, according to court records in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

The complaint names James Matthew Villarreal, born May 12, 2006, of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, as the defendant.

Felony and Misdemeanor Charges

Villarreal is charged with one felony count of threats of violence, court records say.

He is also charged with a misdemeanor count of fourth-degree driving while impaired.

The DWI count alleges an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving.

James Matthew Villarreal
James Matthew Villarreal

What Court Records Say Happened

Court records say police were dispatched at about 8:52 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2025.

The call was for a motor vehicle accident near the 1300 block of North Front Street in Crookston.

Records describe a tan 1997 Toyota Camry in a yard.

The complaint says officers spoke with the vehicle’s registered owner.

The filing says she told police the car had been used by a family member.

Court records say Villarreal was located walking away from the scene.

The complaint describes signs of impairment.

Those included slurred speech and an odor of alcohol.

According to the filing, Villarreal first denied involvement.

Court records say he later admitted driving from East Grand Forks to Crookston.

The complaint also says he admitted to drinking earlier that day.

Records state he admitted to leaving the crash scene on foot.

DWI Arrest and Breath Test Result

Court records say field sobriety testing was performed.

The complaint says Villarreal did not complete tests in a satisfactory way.

Records say he was arrested for suspected impaired driving.

He was taken to the Northwest Regional Corrections Center, the filing says.

Court records say Villarreal later provided a breath sample on a Datamaster test.

The complaint lists a reported BAC of .15.

Threats Alleged

The felony charge centers on threats allegedly made toward a law enforcement officer, records say.

The complaint describes repeated violent threats during transport.

The filing also describes sexual threats and profanity.

This story does not repeat those statements.

Readers can review Minnesota criminal statutes at the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.

Court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.

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