Mahnomen County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Mahnomen man now faces a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after a late-night traffic stop, according to a criminal complaint filed in Mahnomen County District Court.
Prosecutors charged Joshua Carl Stone Jr., 23, of Mahnomen, with operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving. The complaint alleges Stone had a reported breath test result of 0.26.
Traffic Stop Detailed In Complaint
According to the complaint, the stop happened at about 11:23 p.m. on March 18, 2026.
A deputy reported seeing a vehicle leave a homeless shelter parking lot and enter the roadway improperly. The complaint says the vehicle crossed fully into the westbound lane before moving back.
The complaint also says the vehicle swayed within its lane as it traveled on College Road in Mahnomen County.
After the stop, the driver identified himself as Joshua Carl Stone Jr., according to court records.
The complaint says the driver showed several signs of alcohol use. Those signs included slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, watery eyes, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage.
Field Tests And Breath Test
Stone allegedly admitted he had been drinking, according to the complaint.
He then took field sobriety tests. The complaint says he showed signs of impairment on each test.
Those signs included balance issues, stepping off line, and putting a foot down during testing.
Investigators then arrested Stone and took him to the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office, according to the complaint.
There, he was read the breath test advisory. The complaint says he gave two breath samples.
The final reported result was 0.26 at 12:07 a.m.
Why The Charge Was Enhanced
The case was charged as a gross misdemeanor. The complaint says one aggravating factor was present.
That factor was tied to a prior underage drinking and driving adjudication listed in the court filing.
Under Minnesota DWI law, a gross misdemeanor charge can carry jail time, a fine, or both if there is an aggravating factor.
As with all criminal cases, a charge is only an accusation. Guilt must be proven in court.
Readers can find court information through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.