Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — A Newfolden man faces legal consequences after being caught with meth and driving under the influence.
Justin Ross Underdahl, 43, was sentenced for a felony fifth-degree controlled substance crime and a misdemeanor fourth-degree DWI involving a Schedule I or II substance.
📌 Key Details of Sentencing:
- Felony charge: Three-year stay of imposition, with three years of supervised probation
- DWI charge: 90-day jail sentence stayed for two years, with two years of supervised probation
- Firearms ban for life
- Required to submit a DNA sample
- Ordered to complete a chemical dependency assessment and recommended treatment
- $210 in court fines
🚔 How the Arrest Happened
📅 April 27, 2023 – A traffic stop near Sixth Street and Duluth Avenue in Thief River Falls led to the arrest.
🔎 Key Observations by Police:
- Underdahl appeared nervous and was shaking
- Showed signs of impairment including body tremors, changing moods, and rigid muscle tone
- Failed field sobriety tests
📌 Search Warrant Results:
- 1.86 grams of meth found in a cigarette box near the driver’s seat
- 10 grams of marijuana found under the front seat
- One-hitter pipe and a container with suspected marijuana
⚖️ Why This Case Matters
✅ Ongoing crackdowns on drug-related offenses in Pennington County
✅ Stronger penalties for DWI involving controlled substances
✅ Use of field sobriety tests and search warrants to gather evidence
🚨 What’s Next?
- Underdahl must complete drug treatment and supervised probation
- Additional penalties possible if probation is violated
- Authorities continue to investigate drug-related activities in the area
🔗 I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News