Candace Rae Watson, 39, was charged with driving after cancellation, classified as inimical to public safety.<\/p>\n
The charge stems from an August 20, 2026, traffic stop in Mahnomen.<\/p>\n
According to the criminal complaint, officers recognized Watson driving a white Jeep and knew her license was canceled.<\/p>\n
Watson was arrested, booked at the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office, and later released.<\/p>\n
Police Stop Jeep Near Boys and Girls Club<\/h2>\n
According to court documents, officers were patrolling Mahnomen around 1:07 p.m. on August 20.<\/p>\n
During the patrol, an officer spotted a white Jeep known to belong to Watson.<\/p>\n
The officer recognized Watson as the driver and believed her driving privileges had been canceled.<\/p>\n
Police initiated a traffic stop in front of the Boys and Girls Club.<\/p>\n
Officers approached the Jeep and explained why they had stopped her.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, Watson said she believed her license remained valid until August 28.<\/p>\n
However, officers reported that dispatch confirmed her driving status was already canceled.<\/p>\n
Police Report License and Insurance Concerns<\/h2>\n
During the stop, an officer informed Watson that she also needed an ignition interlock device installed in her vehicle.<\/p>\n
An ignition interlock device requires a driver to provide a breath sample before starting a vehicle.<\/p>\n
Such devices are used in certain cases involving restricted driving privileges.<\/p>\n
The complaint also states Watson could not provide proof of vehicle insurance during the stop.<\/p>\n
However, the complaint lists only one criminal charge against her.<\/p>\n
No separate insurance violation was included in the supplied charging document.<\/p>\n Following the license status confirmation, police arrested Watson for driving after cancellation.<\/p>\n Before being transported, Watson gave a pedestrian permission to move her Jeep.<\/p>\n Officers then transported her to the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office.<\/p>\n According to the complaint, Watson was booked and released following the arrest.<\/p>\n The document does not identify any additional criminal charges resulting from the traffic stop.<\/p>\n Prosecutors filed one count of driving after cancellation, inimical to public safety, in Mahnomen County District Court.<\/p>\n The charge falls under Minnesota Statute 171.24, subdivision 5<\/a>.<\/p>\n Under the statute, certain drivers cannot operate vehicles after their licenses or driving privileges have been canceled or denied.<\/p>\n The law also requires that the driver received notice or reasonably should have known about the cancellation.<\/p>\n A conviction can carry up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.<\/p>\n Those are maximum penalties, not a sentence imposed on Watson.<\/p>\n The complaint does not explain the original circumstances behind her license cancellation.<\/p>\n It also does not allege that Watson was impaired during this traffic stop.<\/p>\n The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court number 44-CR-26-495<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The complaint was issued as a summons.<\/p>\n No conviction, sentence, or final case outcome is established by the supplied document.<\/p>\n Readers can search for updates through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n Additional court information is available through the Mahnomen County District Court<\/a>.<\/p>\n Watson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n![\"Mahnomen](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Candace-Rae-Watson-1024x576.png\")
<\/a>Watson Arrested, Booked and Released<\/h2>\n
Gross-Misdemeanor Charge Filed in District Court<\/h2>\n
Court Case Filed Under Number 44-CR-26-495<\/h2>\n