Goodridge Man Gets 48-Month Stayed DWI Sentence

Goodridge (trfnews.i234.me) — Dennis Robert Slack, 38, was sentenced Monday, Aug. 10, in Pennington County District Court.

Slack was sentenced for felony first-degree driving while impaired and gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation.

The case followed an April 11 traffic stop on Highway 1.

Court records say Slack had four prior DWI convictions dating back to 2007.

Sentence Includes Stayed Prison Term

For the felony DWI conviction, Slack received a 48-month prison sentence.

The prison term was stayed for five years.

Slack was placed on supervised probation for five years.

He must also complete yearly electronic home monitoring.

Slack must complete a comprehensive assessment within 60 days of sentencing.

He must follow any recommended treatment and aftercare.

The court ordered Slack to complete the Pennington County DWI Court program.

Dennis Robert Slack

Slack may not use or possess firearms, ammunition, or explosives.

He must provide a DNA sample and pay $240 in fines and fees.

A separate sentence was imposed for driving after cancellation.

Slack received 364 days in jail, with 353 days stayed for two years.

He received credit for seven days already served.

He was also placed on supervised probation for two years.

The charges followed an April 11 stop on Highway 1.

A vehicle was recorded traveling 52 mph in a 40-mph zone.

Police reported signs of possible impairment while speaking with Slack.

They also learned his driving privileges were canceled as inimical to public safety.

Slack admitted drinking three or four beers, according to the complaint.

He declined field sobriety testing after discussing his alcohol use.

The complaint says Slack admitted he was under the influence.

At the jail, police read Slack the breath test advisory.

Slack made statements indicating he believed he faced serious legal trouble.

Police repeatedly asked whether he would provide a breath sample.

According to the complaint, Slack never gave a clear answer.

Police treated his conduct as a test refusal.

The complaint listed several earlier convictions involving impaired driving and license violations.

Those cases occurred in Pennington, Polk, Beltrami, and Clearwater counties.

The listed record included DWI convictions from 2007, 2019, 2020, and 2024.

Minnesota law classifies some repeat impaired-driving offenses as first-degree DWI felonies.

The state’s driving license law also covers driving after cancellation.

Pennington County District Court is part of Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.