On May 8, 2026 at approximately 3:30 P.M., Otter Tail County Sheriff's Deputy Kelby Jensen was on patrol traveling through the City of Perham in Otter Tail County. He observed a black motorcycle parked in a driveway that did not have license plates. Deputy Jensen continued on patrol, and shortly thereafter observed the motorcycle being driven, and observed it pass him and continued onto Highway 10. Deputy Jensen followed and initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Jesse Scott Ross, [DOB REDACTED], the Defendant herein.
Deputy Jensen informed Defendant that he stopped him for not having license plates on the vehicle and Defendant said they fell off. Deputy Jensen asked about insurance and Defendant said it was not insured and he was just on his way to get insurance for it. Deputy Jensen went back to his squad and looked up prior contact information for the Defendant and observed two prior contacts with Defendant with a blue Buell Motor Company motorcycle that had been painted black. The license plates attached to that incident expired in 2021. He confirmed that Defendant's driving status was listed as revoked.
Deputy Jensen returned to speak to Defendant who stated that this was a Buell motorcycle and that the plates had been off since the prior summer, or maybe earlier. He said he did not get new registration and plates because he did not have the title and could not get it put into his name, and he had been driving it regularly. Defendant was placed under arrest and the vehicle was towed for impound. In the Defendant's pocket was a Yamaha key that was bent at a 45 degree angle and appeared to be for a small engine vehicle.
Defendant was Mirandized and spoke further with Deputy Jensen. Defendant said that this was not the same Buell motorcycle that had been blue and was painted black. He confirmed he owned that one as well, but that he purchased the current one about 3 weeks to one month prior through a trade. He said the person who he purchased it from lost the key so he punched out the ignition and then said he found the key and gave him the Yamaha key. The serial number on the motorcycle was run through dispatch, and was confirmed as being reported stolen out of Wisconsin.
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.
