Gonvick, Clearwater County (trfnews.i234.me) Matthew John Waldal, 44, of Red Lake Falls is charged with third-degree DWI.
Prosecutors filed the case in Clearwater County District Court on February 2, 2026. The alleged offense happened on January 31, 2026.
Waldal faces a gross misdemeanor count under Minnesota law. Court records cite Minnesota Statute 169A.20, subdivision 1(5). The complaint says the charge is enhanced by a prior test-refusal conviction. That prior case was in 2020.
What Police Allege
The complaint says a deputy stopped Waldal around 7:19 p.m. The stop happened in Gonvick. Police say Waldal failed to signal before turning onto Highway 92.
During the stop, police report watery eyes. Police say Waldal told the deputy he came from a bar. He also said he had been drinking.
The complaint says Waldal raised health concerns. He said he wears glasses. He said he has had concussions in the past.
Police report doing field sobriety checks anyway. The complaint describes signs on an eye-tracking test. Police then used a preliminary breath test. They reported a blood alcohol reading of .106.
Investigators later collected a urine sample. That sample was sent for lab testing. Those results were not listed in the complaint summary.
Prior Conviction Noted
Court records list a prior impaired-driving incident. It was a conviction for refusal to submit to testing. The case was filed in Polk County in November 2020.
Bail and Next Steps
A judge set bail at $3,000 with conditions. Bail was set at $12,000 without conditions. The conditions include staying law-abiding. They also include no alcohol use. They also include random testing.
The case is scheduled to continue in Clearwater County District Court.
DWI cases can move through several hearings. Charging documents are allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent in court.
For more, see Minnesota’s DWI law in Statute 169A.20. You can also review the third-degree DWI statute, Statute 169A.26. General court resources are on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
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