On April 9, 2026, at approximately 4:35pm, an employee of the Dollar General Store in Keewatin, Itasca County, contacted Itasca County Dispatch in regard to a male party possibly overdosing in the parking lot. The employee stated that he male could also be having a seizure. The employee told dispatch that he approached the male in his vehicle, at which time the male "freaked out", then left the store driving a small black vehicle bearing license plate PSLAM23. Minnesota State Trooper Elijah Allen was in the area and made contact with the suspect vehicle on Second Avenue in Keewatin.
A traffic stop was initiated. The driver was identified as Jesse Paul Kaska. Trooper Allen noted that Kaska had pinpoint pupils and was very talkative. When Trooper Allen asked about what happened at the Dollar General Store, Kaska stated that he had been crying. He also admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day. A record check revealed that Kaska's driving privileges are restricted and that he is prohibited from any use of non-prescribed drugs or alcohol. Trooper Allen then asked him if there were any drugs in the vehicle, at which time Kaska turned over an old pill bottle containing marijuana.
He was then asked to exit the vehicle, in which he complied. Kaska declined to perform field sobriety tests, despite several requests. He remained extremely talkative. He also displayed burnt fingertips and pinpoint pupils. He was also pacing around his vehicle. Kaska was then arrested for DWI and transported to the Grand Itasca Hospital and Clinic where Trooper Allen applied for a search warrant for a blood or urine sample from Kaska. The search warrant was signed by the Honorable Kimberly Wimmer.
A blood sample was collected which will be submitted to the BCA for testing. Kaska was then transported to the Itasca County Jail. A record check revealed that Kaska has the following criminal convictions: 03-07-2024: DWI, felony, St. Louis County 03-22-2021: Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle, felony, Scott County 03-22-2021: DAC-IPS, misdemeanor, Scott County 03-22-2021: Fail to Stop for Property Damage Accident, misdemeanor, Scott County 03-02-2021: Fifth Degree Controlled Substance Possession, felony, Blue Earth County 02-25-2019: Fleeing a Peace Officer on Foot, misdemeanor, Carlton County 3 31-CR-26-728 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 4/10/2026 05-07-2019: Check Forgery, gross misdemeanor, St. Louis County 02-25-2019: Fifth Degree Controlled Substance Possession, felony, Carlton County 09-16-2019: DWI, gross misdemeanor, Pine County 11-22-0217: DWI, gross misdemeanor, St. Louis County 11-04-2013: Second Degree Burglary, felony, St. Louis County 11-04-2013: Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, felony, St. Louis County 02-19-2014: First Degree Burglary, felony, Ramsey County 12-18-2013: Third Degree Burglary, felony, Wright County 11-04-2013: Theft of Motor Vehicle, felony, St. Louis County 11-04-2013: Theft, gross misdemeanor, St. Louis County 07-13-2012: Theft of Services, misdemeanor, St. Louis County 02-16-2011: Check Forgery, felony, Ramsey County 02-07-2011: Theft, gross misdemeanor, Anoka County 12-20-2010: Financial Transaction Card Fraud, felony, St. Louis County 01-20-2011: DWI, misdemeanor, Dakota County 12-20-2010: Theft by Swindle, misdemeanor, St. Louis County 12-20-2010: Simple Robbery, felony, St. Louis County 12-20-2010: Offering a Forged Check, felony, St. Louis County 12-20-2010: Check Forgery, felony, St. Louis County PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn.
