At approximately 11:01 P.M., Officer observed a grey Jeep Wrangler (“Vehicle”) make a turn at an intersection. Vehicle took a wide turn and almost hit a parked vehicle on the street. Vehicle also did not have a front license plate, had tires wider than the wheel wells, and had dark tint on the windows. Officer turned around and caught up with Vehicle. Officer conducted a traffic stop. Officer spoke to the driver who initially provided a false name and date of birth to Officer. The driver then admitted his actual name was Christian Thomas Sturges, [DOB REDACTED] (“Defendant”). Defendant said he lied to Officer because he was nervous.
Officer could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Vehicle when they made the traffic stop. Officer conducted the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test and observed signs of impairment. Officer performed a PBT test and Defendant provided a sample of 0.08% BAC. When Officer ran Defendant’s name, they discovered he only had a Minnesota ID and did not have a Minnesota Driver’s License. Officer was also informed that Defendant had an extraditable warrant out of Hunt County, Texas. The warrant was for failure to comply with registration requirements in a criminal sexual conduct case.
The warrant number is 11F250015 and was issued by the Court on September 25, 2025. Defendant was cited for driving without a Minnesota Driver’s License. Defendant was placed under arrest for the active warrant and transported to the Winona County Jail without incident. 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.
