Charles Duane Hvezda Jr., 46, is charged with third-degree driving while impaired by cannabis and possessing an open cannabis package.<\/p>\n
According to the criminal complaint, Hvezda admitted smoking marijuana approximately 15 minutes before deputies stopped his vehicle.<\/p>\n
The October 14, 2026, incident occurred along State Highway 200 in Clearwater County.<\/p>\n
Deputy Stops Vehicle Near Roy Lake<\/h2>\n
According to court documents, a Clearwater County deputy was traveling eastbound on Highway 200 around 11:33 p.m.<\/p>\n
The deputy noticed a vehicle displaying White Earth license plates and checked its registration.<\/p>\n
Records identified Hvezda as the registered owner and showed his driver’s license was revoked.<\/p>\n
The deputy activated emergency lights and stopped the vehicle.<\/p>\n
During the stop, the deputy confirmed Hvezda was driving.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, the deputy immediately smelled freshly burned marijuana coming from the vehicle.<\/p>\n
The deputy also reported that Hvezda appeared drowsy and was speaking and moving slowly.<\/p>\n
Driver Allegedly Admits Smoking Marijuana<\/h2>\n
When questioned about marijuana, Hvezda reportedly acknowledged having cannabis inside the vehicle.<\/p>\n
He showed the deputy two marijuana joints that were not in their original retail packaging.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, Hvezda admitted smoking marijuana approximately 15 minutes before the traffic stop.<\/p>\n
The deputy then asked Hvezda to exit the vehicle for further investigation.<\/p>\n
Hvezda reportedly questioned whether field sobriety tests would be required.<\/p>\n
He told the deputy he had balance problems because of medical issues.<\/p>\n The deputy attempted to conduct field sobriety testing to determine whether Hvezda was impaired.<\/p>\n According to the complaint, Hvezda initially had difficulty following instructions during an eye-movement test.<\/p>\n He later stopped participating and asked the deputy to take him to jail.<\/p>\n Hvezda reportedly rated his level of intoxication as two on a scale of one to ten.<\/p>\n He declined further testing, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n Authorities arrested him on suspicion of driving while impaired.<\/p>\n Following the arrest, authorities obtained a judicial search warrant for a blood or urine sample.<\/p>\n According to the complaint, Hvezda received the signed warrant and agreed to provide a blood sample.<\/p>\n The sample was collected for testing by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.<\/p>\n The complaint does not include laboratory results or a confirmed THC concentration.<\/p>\n The investigation also identified a previous DWI conviction dated October 7, 2025.<\/p>\n Prosecutors cited the prior impaired-driving history as an aggravating factor supporting the third-degree charge.<\/p>\n Prosecutors filed two counts in Clearwater County District Court.<\/p>\n Count 1: Third-Degree Driving While Impaired.<\/strong> Prosecutors allege Hvezda operated a vehicle while under the influence of cannabis.<\/p>\n The gross-misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.<\/p>\n Count 2: Cannabis Open-Package Possession.<\/strong> Prosecutors allege Hvezda possessed cannabis removed from its original packaging inside a vehicle.<\/p>\n The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.<\/p>\n Minnesota’s DWI law<\/a> prohibits operating a motor vehicle while impaired by cannabis.<\/p>\n The state’s cannabis open-package law<\/a> also restricts possession of improperly packaged cannabis inside vehicles.<\/p>\n The case is filed under number 15-CR-26-366<\/strong> in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.<\/p>\n The supplied complaint does not establish a conviction, sentence, or final outcome.<\/p>\n Readers can search for updates through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n Additional information about third-degree DWI is available under Minnesota Statute 169A.26<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hvezda is presumed innocent of the pending allegations unless and until proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n![\"Mahnomen](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Charles-Duane-Hvezda-Jr-1024x576.png\")
<\/a>Field Sobriety Testing Ends Early<\/h2>\n
Blood Sample Obtained Under Search Warrant<\/h2>\n
Two Criminal Charges Filed<\/h2>\n
Case Filed in Clearwater County Court<\/h2>\n