Williams Man Charged In Meth, DWI Case
Lake of the Woods County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Williams man is facing felony drug possession and misdemeanor DWI charges in Lake of the Woods County District Court.
Joseph Leroy Houle, 56, of Williams, has been charged with fifth-degree controlled substance possession.
He is also charged with fourth-degree DWI.
The charges were filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.
The case is listed under Court File No. 39-CR-26-74.
The complaint says the alleged incident happened on May 26, 2026.
It occurred near State Highway 11 and 70th Avenue Northwest.
Vehicle Found Running Near Substation
According to the complaint, law enforcement found a vehicle parked near a railway substation.
The vehicle was running, and its lights were on.
Houle was allegedly found passed out in the driver’s seat.
The complaint says Houle appeared confused after contact with law enforcement.
He allegedly did not know the date or time.
He also did not know his location.
Houle told authorities he did not need medical help.
Law enforcement reported seeing a pill bottle in the center console.
A hard sunglasses-style case was also allegedly seen nearby.
The complaint says Houle had bloodshot eyes.
Field Tests And Search Reported
Authorities asked Houle to step out for field sobriety testing.
The complaint says the vehicle was still in gear.
Houle allegedly placed it in park before leaving the vehicle.
Court documents say Houle showed problems during several field tests.
He allegedly had trouble balancing during the one-leg stand test.
He also allegedly failed to maintain heel-to-toe steps.
A preliminary breath test showed a 0.00 result.
Authorities then arrested Houle for DWI.
A later search of the vehicle was conducted.
According to the complaint, the pill bottle contained a white crystal substance.
The substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
It weighed about 3.42 grams without the container.
The sunglasses-style case allegedly contained a glass pipe.
The complaint says the pipe had burnt residue inside.
Houle later told authorities he knew nothing about the items.
Charges Filed In District Court
The fifth-degree possession charge is a felony.
Under Minnesota Statute 152.025, it carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
It also carries a possible $10,000 fine.
The fourth-degree DWI charge is a misdemeanor.
Under Minnesota Statute 169A.27, fourth-degree DWI is a misdemeanor offense.
The complaint lists a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail.
It also lists a possible $1,000 fine.
A search warrant was issued for blood or urine.
Court documents say blood samples were collected at LakeWood CHI Hospital.
Houle was then booked into the Lake of the Woods County Jail.
Court records can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
The charges are allegations.
Houle is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
