White Earth DWI Test Refusal Charge Filed
White Earth (trfnews.i234.me) — A Becker County man is facing a gross misdemeanor charge after a reported DWI stop in White Earth.
Samuel Sidney McArthur III, 70, of Ogema, has been charged in Becker County District Court. The charge is traffic DWI, refusal to submit to a chemical breath test.
The case was filed in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District. Court records list the case number as 03-CR-26-886.
Traffic Stop Reported In White Earth
According to the criminal complaint, the incident happened on April 10, 2026. It was reported at about 10:33 p.m. in White Earth, Becker County.
A White Earth police officer reported seeing a vehicle leave a stop sign. The vehicle allegedly drove onto the gravel shoulder of the road.
The officer then followed the vehicle. The complaint says it crossed the fog line several times. It also allegedly weaved badly inside the lane.
The officer activated emergency lights. The vehicle continued about 100 yards before stopping, according to the complaint.
The driver was identified as Samuel Sidney McArthur III.
Complaint Claims Signs Of Alcohol Use
The complaint says there was an odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. It also says McArthur had slow reactions and a slow speech pattern.
McArthur allegedly told the officer he had a “couple of beers.”
Field sobriety tests were then conducted, according to the complaint. The officer reported signs of impairment during those tests.
The complaint says McArthur nearly fell during the walk-and-turn test. It also says he used his arms for balance during the one-leg stand test.
McArthur allegedly declined a preliminary breath test at the scene.
Breath Test Refusal Alleged
McArthur was arrested and taken to the Becker County Jail, according to the complaint.
At the jail, he was read the breath test advisory. The complaint says he stated that he understood it.
McArthur first chose to speak with an attorney. He was given a phone and directories, according to the complaint.
The complaint says McArthur later stated he would not call anyone. He also said he was done with attorney time.
When asked if he would give a breath sample, McArthur allegedly said no. When asked why, he allegedly said he did not want to.
McArthur was held until sober, according to the complaint.
The charge is listed under Minnesota Statute 169A.20, with reference to 169A.26. More court information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail. It may also carry a $3,000 fine, or both.
A criminal complaint is not a conviction. McArthur is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.