Becker County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Frazee man is facing three charges in Becker County after a traffic stop last fall, according to a criminal complaint.
David Jeffrey Abeldgaard, 38, is charged with intent to escape motor vehicle tax, improper use of registration plates, and driving an uninsured vehicle.
The complaint says the stop happened on October 19, 2025, at about 10:13 a.m. on County Highway 54 in Becker County.
Charges Filed
According to the complaint, the most serious charge is a gross misdemeanor. That count alleges Abeldgaard intended to avoid paying tax tied to proper vehicle registration.
He also faces two misdemeanor counts. Those counts allege improper use of registration plates and driving a vehicle without insurance.
Under the complaint, the gross misdemeanor count carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Each misdemeanor count carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
Readers can review Minnesota law here:
168.35,
168.36, and
169.797.
What the Complaint Says Happened
The complaint states a green Ram truck was stopped after its license plate was checked through the state system.
That plate, the complaint says, belonged to a 2009 red Dodge Journey, not the truck that was stopped.
According to court records, Abeldgaard told law enforcement he knew the truck had the wrong plates.
The complaint says he told authorities he bought the vehicle from a co-worker earlier in the year.
He also said he was still trying to transfer the title into his name.
Because of that, the complaint says, he placed incorrect plates on the truck.
The complaint also states he admitted there was no insurance on the vehicle at the time of the stop.
What Comes Next
The case was filed in Becker County District Court under file number 03-CR-26-486.
Anyone seeking case updates can check the Minnesota Judicial Branch for public court access information.
As in all criminal cases, the charges are accusations. They must be proven in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
