Polk County ( trfnews.i234.me ) – A Crookston woman is facing serious charges after police say she drove under the influence of methamphetamine with children in her vehicle and was found with drugs near a public park.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Polk County District Court, Cristina Maria Rodriguez, 38, of Crookston, has been charged with felony third-degree controlled substance crime for possession in a prohibited zone and gross misdemeanor DWI involving a Schedule II substance.
On August 16, 2025, Crookston police attempted to stop Rodriguez’s black Chevrolet Malibu for a missing front license plate. The vehicle continued driving until reaching a barricade for a parade on East 7th Street, where it finally stopped.
Court records state Rodriguez had two children, ages 1 and 10, in the car at the time of the stop. Officers noted she appeared impaired, with watery eyes and facial sores consistent with drug use. Field sobriety tests were conducted, and she was placed under arrest.
A search of her purse revealed a sunglasses case containing a meth pipe and a baggie with 3.5 grams of methamphetamine. Testing confirmed the substance was meth. Because the stop occurred within 300 feet of Town Square Park, the drug possession charge was elevated under Minnesota law.
At the Northwest Regional Corrections Center, Rodriguez admitted to using meth the previous day. A certified drug recognition evaluator also determined she was under the influence of a stimulant. A blood sample was later obtained by warrant for further testing.
If convicted, Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of $250,000 on the felony drug possession charge, in addition to penalties for the DWI offense.
For more details on Minnesota drug laws, visit the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
