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Roseau Seat Belt Stop Leads to Arrest, Three Charges

A Warroad man was arrested after a Roseau traffic stop revealed his license was canceled. Alexander Sterling Nichols now faces three traffic charges.

A Warroad man faces three charges after a Roseau traffic stop revealed his driving privileges were canceled.
A Warroad man faces three charges after a Roseau traffic stop revealed his driving privileges were canceled.

ROSEAU, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Warroad man faces three charges after a Roseau traffic stop revealed his driving privileges were canceled.

Alexander Sterling Nichols, 36, was charged in Roseau County District Court following an April 30, 2026, traffic stop.

The charges include driving after cancellation, failing to provide proof of insurance, and a seat belt violation.

According to the complaint, Nichols was arrested and transported to the Roseau County Jail.

Trooper Spots Driver Without Seat Belt

The incident began around 2:18 p.m. on April 30 in Roseau.

A Minnesota State Patrol trooper was traveling southbound on 11th Avenue Northeast.

The trooper noticed a Buick traveling eastbound on Center Street East.

According to court documents, the vehicle was preparing to turn left onto 11th Avenue Northeast.

As the vehicles passed, the trooper noticed the Buick’s driver was not wearing a seat belt.

The trooper turned around and began following the vehicle.

While following the Buick, the trooper noticed the seat belt had been pulled across the driver.

The vehicle continued onto State Highway 11 before emergency lights were activated.

Driver Stops at Roseau Business

The Buick pulled into the parking area of B&B Plumbing & Heating.

According to the complaint, the driver had wrapped the seat belt around his left arm.

However, the belt was not properly fastened across his chest.

The trooper explained the reason for the traffic stop.

Nichols reportedly admitted forgetting to buckle his seat belt after leaving a nearby store.

He also told the trooper he did not have identification or a valid driver’s license.

License Check Reveals Cancellation

Investigators identified the driver as Alexander Sterling Nichols of Warroad.

Nichols was unable to provide proof of insurance for the Buick, according to court documents.

The trooper then checked Nichols’ driving record.

Records showed his Minnesota driving privileges were canceled as inimical to public safety, commonly called Cancelled-IPS.

The complaint also states Nichols was subject to active court conditions.

Those conditions prohibited driving without a valid license and required current vehicle insurance.

Alexander Sterling Nichols
Alexander Sterling Nichols

Nichols Arrested and Taken to County Jail

After reviewing the driving record, the trooper instructed Nichols to exit the Buick.

Nichols was arrested for allegedly driving after cancellation as inimical to public safety.

He was placed inside the patrol vehicle and transported to the Roseau County Jail.

The Buick remained in the business parking area because it was safely parked.

Jail staff took custody of Nichols for booking, according to the complaint.

Three Charges Filed in Roseau County

Prosecutors charged Nichols under Minnesota Statute 171.24, Subdivision 5.

Driving after cancellation as inimical to public safety is a gross misdemeanor.

A conviction carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

The second charge involves failing to provide proof of insurance under Minnesota Statute 169.791.

That offense is listed as a misdemeanor in the complaint.

The third charge concerns Minnesota’s seat belt law and is listed as a petty misdemeanor.

Case Filed in District Court

The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court number 68-CR-26-293.

The criminal complaint was issued with a summons.

The filing does not allege Nichols was intoxicated during the traffic stop.

Additional information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

Nichols is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.

Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.

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Approximate incident areaRoseau, Minnesota

Estimated town area, not a confirmed incident address. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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