Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — A Mentor man faces a gross misdemeanor driving charge following a May traffic stop.
Matthew Jon Volker is charged with driving after cancellation as inimical to public safety.
The charge was filed in Pennington County District Court under case number 57-CR-26-606.
A conviction could bring up to 364 days in jail.
The offense also carries a possible $3,000 fine.
Officer Spots Vehicle On Highway 59
The incident happened around 8:52 a.m. on May 2, according to the criminal complaint.
Police were monitoring traffic near Edgewood Drive and U.S. Highway 59 South.
An officer saw a vehicle turn south onto Highway 59.
The officer believed Volker was driving and checked his license status.
The complaint says the license returned as canceled because Volker was considered inimical to public safety.
Police then stopped the vehicle.
Driver Allegedly Knew License Was Invalid
Volker provided his driver’s license during the traffic stop.
According to the complaint, he admitted knowing his driving status was not valid.
The officer also reported that Volker appeared nervous during the encounter.
The complaint says his hands were trembling and he repeatedly moved his tongue.
Police also identified a passenger from previous law enforcement contacts.
Vehicle Search Finds THC Wax
The complaint states Volker had release conditions in a separate Polk County controlled substance case.
Those conditions allegedly allowed law enforcement searches.
Police searched the vehicle and reported finding a small amount of THC wax.
The substance was found inside a backpack in the back seat, according to the complaint.
The complaint provided does not list a separate drug charge from that discovery.
Volker was arrested and transported to the Pennington County Jail for booking.
Gross Misdemeanor Case Filed
Prosecutors allege Volker knowingly drove while his privileges were canceled.
The charge is a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota law.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Volker is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Readers can review Minnesota’s driving-after-cancellation law through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Minnesota court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
