East Grand Forks Man Charged in 0.18 DWI Case

East Grand Forks (trfnews.i234.me) — An East Grand Forks man faces a gross misdemeanor DWI charge in Polk County.

Leonard Albert Nesdahl Sr., 44, is charged with third-degree driving while impaired. The charge stems from a traffic stop on June 6, 2026.

Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest

According to the criminal complaint, a state trooper saw a vehicle traveling south in Polk County.

The vehicle allegedly had one headlight out. Two wheels also crossed the fog line, the complaint states.

The stop happened at about 12:03 a.m. The driver was identified as Nesdahl.

The trooper reported smelling alcohol during the roadside contact. The complaint also lists bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

Nesdahl completed field sobriety tests, according to the complaint.

A preliminary breath test allegedly showed an alcohol concentration of 0.174.

He was arrested and taken to the East Grand Forks Police Department.

Authorities then read Minnesota’s implied consent advisory. Nesdahl agreed to provide another breath sample.

The final test allegedly showed an alcohol concentration of 0.18 at about 1:13 a.m.

Prosecutors allege the result was at least 0.16. That level is listed as an aggravating factor in the complaint.

The case was filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District. The court file number is 60-CR-26-788.

Third-degree DWI is a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169A.26.

The related DWI law appears in Minnesota Statute 169A.20.

The complaint lists a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail. It also lists a possible $3,000 fine.

Those penalties are maximums and do not predict the case outcome.

Nesdahl is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Public case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.