Warroad Man Faces 5 Charges After .22 Breath Test

WARROAD, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Warroad man faces five criminal charges following a nighttime traffic stop that resulted in a reported .22 alcohol breath-test reading.

Blayne Sheldon Otto, 27, of Warroad, is charged with two counts of second-degree driving while impaired and three additional misdemeanor offenses.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Roseau County District Court, police also discovered multiple open alcoholic beverage containers inside his vehicle.

Traffic Stop Begins Over Vehicle Violations

The incident began October 16, 2026, at approximately 10:21 p.m.

A Warroad police officer was traveling northbound on Highway 11 near Riverview Drive SE.

The officer noticed a vehicle with a rear cargo light emitting white light.

After following the vehicle, the officer observed it turn onto Lake Street NE and accelerate rapidly.

According to court documents, the vehicle also had a loud, modified exhaust system.

The officer conducted a traffic stop near 204 Lake Street NE.

Police then discovered that the vehicle’s registration had expired in August 2026.

Officer Reports Slurred Speech and Stumbling

The driver was identified as Otto.

While speaking with him, the officer reported smelling alcohol and observing watery eyes and slurred speech.

The officer directed Otto to move his vehicle into the nearby Thrifty White Pharmacy parking lot.

While the officer checked his information, Otto exited his vehicle and approached the squad car.

According to the complaint, Otto stumbled into the side of the patrol vehicle.

When questioned about alcohol consumption, Otto reportedly acknowledged having a couple of drinks.

Preliminary Test Shows .183, Jail Test Shows .22

Police administered a preliminary breath test that produced a reading of .183.

Otto was then arrested on suspicion of impaired driving.

After arriving at the Roseau County Jail, Otto agreed to additional breath testing.

According to the complaint, he provided two adequate breath samples.

The DataMaster breath-testing instrument recorded an alcohol concentration of .22 at 11:35 p.m.

That reading was above Minnesota’s .08 legal alcohol concentration limit for most drivers.

Open Twisted Tea Containers Found

After the arrest, the officer returned to Otto’s vehicle to turn off its rear cargo light.

According to court documents, the officer noticed a plastic bag on the passenger side.

Inside the bag were multiple open Twisted Tea alcoholic beverage containers.

One container reportedly still held a small amount of liquid.

The discovery became part of the evidence supporting an additional open bottle charge.

Five Criminal Charges Filed

Otto faces the following charges in Roseau County District Court:

Count 1: Second-degree DWI, operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol – Gross misdemeanor.
Count 2: Second-degree DWI, alcohol concentration of .08 or more – Gross misdemeanor.
Count 3: Open bottle violation – Misdemeanor.
Count 4: Expired vehicle registration – Misdemeanor.
Count 5: Muffler equipment violation – Misdemeanor.

Prosecutors cite two aggravating factors supporting the second-degree DWI charges.

Those factors include the reported high alcohol concentration and a prior DWI conviction within the preceding 10 years.

Under Minnesota Statute 169A.25, second-degree DWI is a gross misdemeanor.

Each DWI count carries a maximum possible sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Each additional misdemeanor charge carries a maximum of 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.