Mahnomen Woman Charged With Driving on Canceled License

MAHNOMEN, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Mahnomen woman faces a gross-misdemeanor charge after police stopped her vehicle while her driving privileges were canceled.

Candace Rae Watson, 39, was charged with driving after cancellation, classified as inimical to public safety.

The charge stems from an August 20, 2026, traffic stop in Mahnomen.

According to the criminal complaint, officers recognized Watson driving a white Jeep and knew her license was canceled.

Watson was arrested, booked at the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office, and later released.

Police Stop Jeep Near Boys and Girls Club

According to court documents, officers were patrolling Mahnomen around 1:07 p.m. on August 20.

During the patrol, an officer spotted a white Jeep known to belong to Watson.

The officer recognized Watson as the driver and believed her driving privileges had been canceled.

Police initiated a traffic stop in front of the Boys and Girls Club.

Officers approached the Jeep and explained why they had stopped her.

According to the complaint, Watson said she believed her license remained valid until August 28.

However, officers reported that dispatch confirmed her driving status was already canceled.

Police Report License and Insurance Concerns

During the stop, an officer informed Watson that she also needed an ignition interlock device installed in her vehicle.

An ignition interlock device requires a driver to provide a breath sample before starting a vehicle.

Such devices are used in certain cases involving restricted driving privileges.

The complaint also states Watson could not provide proof of vehicle insurance during the stop.

However, the complaint lists only one criminal charge against her.

No separate insurance violation was included in the supplied charging document.

Mahnomen Woman Charged With Driving on Canceled License

Watson Arrested, Booked and Released

Following the license status confirmation, police arrested Watson for driving after cancellation.

Before being transported, Watson gave a pedestrian permission to move her Jeep.

Officers then transported her to the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the complaint, Watson was booked and released following the arrest.

The document does not identify any additional criminal charges resulting from the traffic stop.

Gross-Misdemeanor Charge Filed in District Court

Prosecutors filed one count of driving after cancellation, inimical to public safety, in Mahnomen County District Court.

The charge falls under Minnesota Statute 171.24, subdivision 5.

Under the statute, certain drivers cannot operate vehicles after their licenses or driving privileges have been canceled or denied.

The law also requires that the driver received notice or reasonably should have known about the cancellation.

A conviction can carry up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

Those are maximum penalties, not a sentence imposed on Watson.

The complaint does not explain the original circumstances behind her license cancellation.

It also does not allege that Watson was impaired during this traffic stop.

Court Case Filed Under Number 44-CR-26-495

The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court number 44-CR-26-495.

The complaint was issued as a summons.

No conviction, sentence, or final case outcome is established by the supplied document.

Readers can search for updates through Minnesota Court Records Online.

Additional court information is available through the Mahnomen County District Court.

Watson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.