White Earth (trfnews.i234.me) — A White Earth man is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge in Becker County District Court.
Chad William Dakota Jr., 24, of White Earth, is charged with operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours.
The case was filed in Minnesota’s 7th Judicial District. The court file number is 03-CR-26-926.
The charge stems from an incident reported on May 6, 2026, in White Earth.
Disturbance Call Leads To Vehicle Contact
According to the criminal complaint, police were called to a residence in White Earth at about 10:36 p.m.
The call involved a reported disturbance. While responding, dispatch received more information from the reporting party.
The caller said the people causing issues had driven across the street. They were reportedly parked behind the Congregate Housing building.
Police then made contact with a vehicle at that location. The complaint says Dakota was seated in the driver’s seat.
The complaint says the driver turned the keys and started the vehicle during the contact.
Complaint Alleges Signs Of Impairment
Authorities identified the driver as Chad William Dakota Jr.
The complaint alleges Dakota had slurred speech. It also says his statements did not make sense while explaining the disturbance.
Police reported an odor of alcohol coming from Dakota. He was then asked to exit the vehicle for field sobriety testing.
The complaint says Dakota showed clues of impairment during two field sobriety tests.
Those tests included the HGN test and the walk-and-turn test.
According to the complaint, Dakota refused the one-leg stand test. He also refused to provide a preliminary breath test.
Breath Test Reported At Jail
Dakota was arrested and taken to the Becker County Jail.
At the jail, police read Dakota the breath test advisory. The complaint says Dakota agreed to provide a breath sample.
The reported breath alcohol concentration was 0.16.
Prosecutors allege two aggravating factors in the case. They cite a prior DWI conviction within 10 years.
They also cite the alleged alcohol concentration of 0.16 or more.
The complaint lists the offense as a gross misdemeanor. The maximum sentence is 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Minnesota law on driving while impaired is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Second-degree DWI penalties are outlined in Minnesota Statute 169A.25.
Public case records may be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
A criminal complaint is not a conviction. Dakota is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
