Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Thief River Falls man faces a gross misdemeanor driving charge.
Police say Wallie Gene Lang drove despite a canceled status.
The charge stems from a stop on Douglas Avenue.
Traffic stop on Douglas Avenue.
The complaint says police spotted a driver at about 2:30 pm on January 17.
It lists the location as the 15400 block of Douglas Avenue.
Police identified the driver as Lang, 63, of Thief River Falls.
Investigators say his driving privileges were canceled as being inimical to public safety.
The filing focuses on the alleged act of driving.
Charge filed in court.
Court records show the complaint was filed on January 28.
Lang is charged with driving after cancellation, inimical to public safety.
It is a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 171.24.
That statute ties the charge to certain cancellations under Minnesota Statute 171.04.
Clause (10) uses the “inimical to public safety” standard.
What the terms mean.
A cancellation is a license withdrawal ordered by the state.
It is different from a suspension or a revocation.
State law treats some cancellations as more serious.
That is why this charge is filed as a gross misdemeanor.
Possible penalties.
A gross misdemeanor can carry up to 364 days in jail under state law.
It can also carry a fine up to $3,000.
Those limits are set in Minnesota Statute 609.0341.
A judge may also set release conditions while the case is pending.
How to follow the case.
A charge is an allegation, not proof.
Lang is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Updates may appear on Minnesota Court Records Online.
The site lets readers search by name or case number.
Driver resources.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety posts driver compliance guidance.
It includes a driving status lookup and reinstatement steps.
See the state’s driver compliance page for details.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.