Darwin, Meeker County (trfnews.i234.me) — Martinez Martinez, 19, of Litchfield, faces DWI and contraband charges after a crash and a jail search, records say.
Crash on U.S. Highway 12
A Meeker County sheriff’s deputy was sent to the 300 block of U.S. Highway 12 in Darwin.
The call came at about 4:07 p.m. on February 19, 2026.
A caller reported a small red car driving erratically.
The car then left the road and went into a ditch, the complaint says.
Deputies found a red Ford Focus with front-end damage.
Martinez was outside the vehicle, according to the complaint.
The deputy used a phone translation app to speak with Martinez.
Martinez told the deputy he drank two beers, the complaint says.
He also said he hit a pole.
He could not say where the pole was.
The deputy noted bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.
The deputy also reported an odor of alcohol.
A preliminary breath test showed .15, the complaint says.
Martinez was arrested and taken to the Meeker County Jail in Litchfield.
A later breath test showed .16, according to the complaint.
Search at the jail
The complaint says Martinez went to a hospital for medical clearance.
He was then brought back to the jail for booking.
During an inventory search, a jail officer found a folded dollar bill in his wallet.
The bill held a white powder, the complaint says.
A field test was positive for methamphetamine.
Charges and court status
- Introduction of contraband into a jail.
- Fifth-degree controlled substance possession.
- Two counts of third-degree DWI.
Judge Stephen John Wentzell signed an order of detention, court records show.
Alleged offense date: February 19, 2026.
Date filed: February 20, 2026.
These charges are allegations.
Martinez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Related resources
- Minnesota Statute 169A.26 (Third-degree DWI)
- Minnesota Statute 152.025 (Fifth-degree controlled substance crime)
- Minnesota Statute 641.165 (Contraband in a jail)
- Meeker County Sheriff’s Office
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
- NHTSA drunk driving information
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.