Mahnomen Woman Faces Drug DWI, Test Refusal
Mahnomen (trfnews.i234.me) — Michelle Renee Stevens faces three charges after a June 6 traffic stop in Mahnomen.
The charges include two gross misdemeanors and one misdemeanor. The case was filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District Court.
Stevens is charged with second-degree DWI test refusal. She also faces third-degree DWI involving a controlled substance.
The third charge alleges driving after revocation. Court records list the case as 44-CR-26-321.
Passenger Arrest Led to Investigation
According to the complaint, law enforcement received information about a wanted man near the Dollar General store.
An officer stopped a vehicle driven by Stevens. Thomas Arthur Turner II was seated in the passenger seat.
Turner was arrested on an outstanding warrant. The officer then reported seeing possible signs of impairment in Stevens.
The complaint says Stevens spoke slowly and had constricted pupils. She also allegedly said she had used drugs that morning.
Stevens completed several field sobriety tests. The officer reported balance problems, swaying, and an incorrect number of steps.
Michelle Renee Stevens
Complaint Alleges Meth and Fentanyl Use
The complaint says Stevens admitted smoking methamphetamine and fentanyl earlier that morning.
She was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving. A vehicle search allegedly found drug paraphernalia and a glass pipe.
The pipe reportedly contained white residue. The vehicle was later held for towing.
At the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office, Stevens received a search warrant for a biological sample.
Authorities explained that refusing the test could result in another criminal charge.
Stevens first agreed to provide urine, according to the complaint. She later declined after waiting about 30 minutes.
Possible Penalties
Each gross misdemeanor charge carries up to 364 days in jail. Each also carries a possible $3,000 fine.
The misdemeanor charge carries up to 90 days in jail. It also carries a possible $1,000 fine.
The complaint cites Minnesota’s DWI law and driving-after-revocation law.
Prosecutors also cited a prior qualified impaired-driving conviction from 2018.
Count III contains a different person’s name within its charge description. The probable-cause section identifies Stevens as the driver.
That difference may be a clerical error in the complaint. The court will decide the charges based on evidence.
All charges are allegations. Stevens is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.