On September 4, 2025, Deputy Heeren of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office was on duty, patrolling in the 1500 block of County Rd 3 SW in the Township of Salem, in Olmsted County. At approximately 4:46 P.M., Deputy Heeren received an automatic license plate read on MN HGC970 and observed the registered owner, James Michael Koss ([DOB REDACTED]) had a driving status of canceled -- inimical to public safety (IPS). Deputy Heeren approached the vehicle, believed Koss to be the driver, and conducted a traffic stop.
The driver of the vehicle identified himself as James Koss and advised Deputy Heeren that he had a valid driver's license. Koss told Deputy Heeren that his license was issued to him in May and he was told he was good to drive. Deputy Heeren observed the vehicle was equipped with ignition interlock and Koss had valid insurance. Deputy Heeren informed Koss how to check the status of his driving privileges on his own and showed Koss that he did not have any driving privileges. A review of Koss' certified driving record indicates that he was canceled IPS and provided notice by the Department of Public Safety on June 1, 2018. However, after completing the necessary requirements, Koss was conditionally reinstated on May 9, 2025 until August 29, 2025. Koss was later terminated from the ignition interlock device program on August 29, 2025, because the Department of Public Safety was notified that Koss installed an ignition interlock device on an uninsured vehicle.
This notice was provided on July 29, 2025, and informed Koss that he had until August 29, 2025, to provide a certificate of insurance or else his driving privileges would be canceled. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: YOU MUST APPEAR FOR EVERY COURT HEARING REGARDING THIS CASE. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR COURT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING IMPOSED AND PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 609.49.
