Menahga Woman Charged In Becker County DWI Case
BECKER COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — A Menahga woman is facing gross misdemeanor DWI charges after a traffic stop in Becker County.
Rebecca Jo Lepisto, 45, of Menahga, has been charged in Becker County District Court. The case was filed under court file number 03-CR-26-1029.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident happened late on May 23, 2026. A deputy was patrolling on 170th Street at about 11:07 p.m.
The complaint says the deputy saw fresh tire tracks weaving on the road. A vehicle was then seen about a half mile ahead.
The vehicle later turned south on County Road 125. Court documents say it traveled in the northbound lane while heading south.
Traffic Stop On County Road 136
The vehicle then turned onto County Road 136. A traffic stop was made because of the weaving tracks and wrong-lane driving.
Lepisto was identified as the driver. A male passenger was also inside the vehicle.
When asked why she had driven on the wrong side of the road, Lepisto said they were talking.
The complaint says the deputy smelled alcohol inside the vehicle. Lepisto also allegedly had glossy, watery eyes and slurred speech.
She allegedly told the deputy she had been drinking. She said her last drink was about one hour earlier.
Rebecca Jo Lepisto
Breath Test Reported At .23
Investigators said Lepisto appeared unsteady when she got out of the vehicle. The complaint says she showed poor balance.
Field sobriety tests were conducted. Court documents say multiple signs of impairment were observed.
Lepisto agreed to a preliminary breath test. The complaint says that the test showed a result of .225.
She was arrested on suspicion of DWI. She was then taken to the Becker County Jail.
At the jail, Lepisto was read the breath test advisory. She agreed to provide a breath sample at 12:52 a.m.
The complaint says that the test showed a result of .23.
Gross Misdemeanor Charges Filed
Lepisto is charged with operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours.
She is also charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Both charges are listed as gross misdemeanors. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
The listed statutes include Minnesota Statute 169A.20 and Minnesota Statute 169A.26.
Court records and case details may be reviewed through the Minnesota Judicial Branch case records system.
The charges are accusations. Lepisto is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.