The charge stems from a June 26, 2026, traffic investigation in Thief River Falls.<\/p>\n
According to a Pennington County criminal complaint, Swanson allegedly drove a vehicle without a required ignition interlock device.<\/p>\n
The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 57-CR-26-475.<\/p>\n
Early Morning Traffic Investigation<\/h2>\n
The complaint states that an officer was patrolling Thief River Falls around 3:26 a.m. on June 26.<\/p>\n
The officer observed a vehicle traveling west on First Street before turning south onto St. Paul Avenue.<\/p>\n
The vehicle then parked in a residential driveway.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, the officer recognized the driver as Jared Thomas Swanson.<\/p>\n
The officer reportedly knew Swanson’s driving privileges had been revoked.<\/p>\n
After approaching Swanson, the officer detained him while checking his driving status.<\/p>\n
Swanson allegedly told the officer he did not know his license had been revoked.<\/p>\n
License Revocation and Ignition Interlock Requirement<\/h2>\n
A records check showed Swanson’s driving privileges had been revoked on June 9, 2026.<\/p>\n
The complaint states the revocation was connected to a DWI-related event.<\/p>\n
Records also showed Swanson was required to use an ignition interlock device.<\/p>\n
An ignition interlock device requires a driver to provide a breath sample before starting a vehicle.<\/p>\n
These devices help enforce driving restrictions for certain people with impaired-driving histories.<\/p>\n
Investigators alleged Swanson’s vehicle did not have the required device installed.<\/p>\n
He reportedly maintained that he had never received notice of the license revocation.<\/p>\n
Vehicle Search Reveals Marijuana Items<\/h2>\n
The complaint states the officer noticed possible signs of impairment while speaking with Swanson.<\/p>\n
The officer then conducted field sobriety testing.<\/p>\n
During a subsequent vehicle search, police reportedly found a glass marijuana pipe and a small bag of improperly packaged marijuana.<\/p>\n
Both items were located inside the glove box, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n
Swanson reportedly provided a White Earth medical cannabis card.<\/p>\n
The officer explained Minnesota’s marijuana packaging laws before arresting Swanson for the alleged ignition interlock violation.<\/p>\n
The supplied complaint does not list a separate cannabis-related charge.<\/p>\n
Dispute Over Revocation Notice<\/h2>\n
Swanson allegedly told police he had not been informed about his revoked driving privileges.<\/p>\n
The complaint describes an earlier attempt by another deputy to provide that notice.<\/p>\n
That deputy reportedly forwarded revocation paperwork to the jail where Swanson had previously been held.<\/p>\n
The deputy requested that the documents be placed with Swanson’s personal property.<\/p>\n
A driving record review also showed that a notice was sent on June 9, 2026.<\/p>\n
The complaint does not establish whether Swanson personally received or reviewed those documents.<\/p>\n
Gross Misdemeanor Charge and Court Case<\/h2>\n
Swanson was taken to the Pennington County Jail, where he was booked and released.<\/p>\n
He faces one gross misdemeanor charge under Minnesota Statute 171.09, subdivision 1(g)<\/a>.<\/p>\n The charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n The court issued a summons in the case. The provided complaint does not list a hearing date.<\/p>\n Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n The allegation remains unproven, and Swanson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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