On or about November 1, 2025, at approximately 1:10 A.M., a Minnesota State Trooper was on patrol when the trooper’s attention was drawn to a dark SUV. The SUV drove past the trooper, and the trooper captured a speed reading of 85 mph. The trooper also observed the SUV weave outside its lane several times, on both the driver and passenger side. At one point, the SUV straddled a lane line. The SUV also performed several lane changes without using a signal. The trooper conducted a traffic stop on the SUV (MN Plate: ZAH 095) at I‐94 westbound under the Chicago Avenue overpass, in the City of Minneapolis, County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota.
The trooper approached on the driver’s side and asked the driver, later identified as Damon Khalid Ajani Leeotho Ward [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein, for his license. Defendant provided his passport. While speaking to Defendant, the trooper observed the odor of a consumed alcoholic beverage, watery eyes, bloodshot eyes, and lethargic appearance. Defendant was asked about alcohol consumption, which Defendant stated his last drink was “yesterday.” Defendant was asked to submit to field sobriety tests.
The trooper conducted the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, where the trooper observed clues of impairment. The trooper did not perform the one leg stand test or the walk and turn test as Defendant indicated he had knee‐injuries. The trooper conducted the lack of convergence test and observed that Defendant lacked the ability to converge his eyes. Defendant provided a breath sample for the preliminary breath test (PBT), which showed an alcohol concentration of 0.15. Defendant was placed under arrest for DWI. Defendant was transported to Hennepin County Jail.
The trooper opened the squad door and instructed Defendant to step outside. Defendant refused to step out of the squad car and ignored the trooper’s commands. The trooper requested Defendant step out of the squad car five times, and Defendant eventually stepped out. Defendant had his phone in his hand and the trooper requested Defendant put his phone in the property bag. Defendant activated his phone and moved his hands inches away from the trooper’s badge and name tag. After the trooper allowed Defendant to take a photo or record his name and badge, the trooper asked Defendant to place his phone in the bag.
Defendant then began to make a phone call. Defendant was then directed again to put his phone in the bag. Defendant began making a second call. Defendant was directed over ten times to place his phone in the bag before he made the second call. Defendant was warned when he began to make a second call that the trooper would reach for his phone and put it in the bag. Defendant then squeezed the trooper’s hand, pulled his arms back, and applied pressure to the trooper’s hand and the phone. At one point, Defendant had the trooper’s thumb trapped and was pressing down hard.
