Fergus Falls Jail Books Willis Mcdonald on 2 DWI Charges

Fergus Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — Willis Charles Mcdonald, 33, was booked into the Otter Tail County Jail on September 11, 2026.

The county custody record lists two active gross misdemeanor DWI charges.

One charge alleges second-degree driving while impaired with two or more aggravating factors.

The other alleges an alcohol concentration of at least 0.08 within two hours of driving.

Second-Degree DWI Charge

Minnesota Statute 169A.25 defines second-degree driving while impaired.

A standard DWI becomes second-degree when two or more aggravating factors were present.

Minnesota law lists several possible aggravating factors.

They include certain prior impaired-driving incidents within the previous ten years.

An alcohol concentration of 0.16 or higher can also qualify.

A qualifying child passenger can be another aggravating factor.

The custody record does not say which aggravating factors allegedly apply to Mcdonald.

Second-degree DWI is classified as a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota law.

Mcdonald also faces a charge under Minnesota Statute 169A.20, subdivision 1(5).

That provision applies when a driver’s alcohol concentration is 0.08 or more.

The measurement may be taken while driving or within two hours afterward.

The jail entry does not give Mcdonald’s alleged test result.

It also does not describe the traffic stop, vehicle, or location of the alleged offense.

A gross misdemeanor can carry up to 364 days in jail under Minnesota law.

A maximum fine of $3,000 can also apply when another punishment is not provided.

Second-degree DWI can also carry mandatory penalties under Minnesota’s DWI laws.

Those consequences depend on the facts and Mcdonald’s final court outcome.

The listed penalties do not mean Mcdonald will receive a particular sentence.

The Otter Tail County Jail is located at 416 South Mill Street in Fergus Falls.

Official information is available through the Otter Tail County Jail website.

The county also publishes an in-custody list.

The supplied record does not include a detailed criminal complaint or probable cause statement.

No individual police officer names are included in this report.

A jail booking does not establish guilt.

The charges remain allegations unless proven through the court process.

Mcdonald is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.