Mahnomen County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Ponsford woman is facing a gross misdemeanor charge after a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 59.
Ashley Jennifer Stevens, 37, is charged in Mahnomen County District Court with operating a vehicle without a required ignition interlock device.
The case is filed in Minnesota’s 9th Judicial District. The court file number is 44-CR-26-136.
Traffic Stop On Highway 59
According to the complaint, the incident happened February 23, 2026, at about 4:13 p.m.
A law enforcement officer was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 59 in Mahnomen County.
The officer reported seeing a southbound vehicle following another vehicle too closely.
The complaint says the vehicles were about five to six feet apart when they passed the patrol vehicle.
The officer turned around and stopped the vehicle, according to court documents.
The driver was identified as Ashley Jennifer Stevens of Ponsford.
Ashley Jennifer Stevens
Complaint Says Interlock Was Required
During the stop, the officer checked Stevens’ driver’s license status.
The complaint says the check showed Stevens was required to use an ignition interlock device.
An ignition interlock device is commonly tied to Minnesota driving restrictions.
The device must be installed and functioning in vehicles driven by certain licensed drivers.
Stevens was asked if the vehicle had an ignition interlock device installed.
According to the complaint, Stevens said there was no device in the vehicle.
The charge is listed under Minnesota Statute 171.306.
The complaint also references Minnesota Statute 171.09.
The offense is listed as a gross misdemeanor.
The maximum sentence is 364 days in jail.
The charge also carries a possible $3,000 fine, or both.
Case Remains Pending
A summons was issued in the case.
The charge is only an accusation at this stage.
Stevens is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
More information about Minnesota court records is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
Information about Minnesota ignition interlock rules is available from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.