On or about May 8, 2026, a New York Mills Police Department officer received a report from a gas station manager about a recreational vehicle (RV) that had been parked at the gas station parking lot for approximately two hours and there were concerns the driver appeared intoxicated. The RV’s license plate was shared with the officer. The officer located the RV near an exit of US Highway 10 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. The license plate matched the report. The officer noted the RV crossed the centerline twice while the officer was following it, and the registration tabs expired in February 2026. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as BRANDON STEPHEN WICK, [DOB REDACTED], the defendant.
The officer explained the reason for the stop to the defendant. The defendant appeared overly nervous and unable to sit still. The defendant’s leg was bouncing and he appeared to be playing with his hands. When the officer asked the defendant why he appeared nervous speaking with the officer, the defendant advised that there were some things that were illegal. The defendant mentioned the registration tabs were illegal. The defendant said there were three of his friends in the RV. The officer then called the gas station employee who initially reported concerns to their manager.
The employee reported seeing the defendant drive the RV over the sidewalk partition that divided the market and the gas station. The employee had also seen the defendant almost hit a vehicle. The employee stated when the defendant had entered the gas station, he had a white substance under his nose. The officer asked questions about the defendant’s appearance, and the employees answers were consistent with the defendant. An Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office deputy performed field sobriety testing on the defendant.
The officer then asked the defendant for permission to search the RV; the defendant consented. Inside the RV were two firearms in the shower area of the RV. The serial number on one of the firearms came back as reported stolen in Hubbard County. The defendant told the officer that he had gotten the firearm from his mother’s boyfriend. The defendant had his friends intended to shoot targets and squirrels with the firearm after purchasing the RV. The officer attempted to call the boyfriend, with no answer.
The defendant provided a statement to the officer at the police department. The defendant said he received the firearms from his mother’s boyfriend at home; he had asked for them about a day or two ago to go target shooting. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49, intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
