At approximately 4:55 PM on January 28, 2026, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the intersection of Highway 7 and Rolling Acres Road in the City of Victoria, Carver County. Named complainants advised that a vehicle was stopped in the middle of a lane of traffic and that the driver appeared to be passed out but that his foot was on the break and the vehicle was running. Deputy Gutknecht arrived at the location and located the suspect vehicle matching the description given by the reporting party.
Deputy Gutknecht pulled her vehicle in front of the suspect vehicle so that it could not roll forward into traffic. Deputy Gutknecht noted the driver appeared unconscious and noted the vehicle was on and the gear shift was in drive. Deputy Gutknecht reached into the vehicle to put it into park and noted tin foil with burnt marks on it and two small baggies with white powder on the passenger seat. Defendant awoke and admitted that the substance on the seat was fentanyl, which had caused him to fall asleep.
The substance later field tested positive as fentanyl and weighed.9 grams. Defendant agreed to perform field sobriety tests. Defendant’s performance on the HGN Test did not indicate impairment, however Defendant’s performance on the Walk and Turn Test and the One-Leg Stand Test each indicated impairment. Defendant was placed under arrest and transported to the 212 Medical Center where deputies obtained a search warrant for Defendant’s blood or urine. Defendant agreed to provide a blood sample, which has been sent to the Minnesota BCA for analysis.
During a Miranda interview Defendant admitted to using fentanyl at approximately 2:00 PM. Deputies noted that Defendant’s license requires him to drive only vehicles equipped with Ignition Interlock and the vehicle he was driving was not equipped with that device. Defendant has a prior qualifying DWI Conviction from October 21, 2025, in Court File 70-CR-25-12653. Defendant has a qualifying impaired driving related loss of license from November 22, 2025, with an accompanying pending criminal charge in Court File 86-CR-25-7002. 3 10-CR-26-55 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 1/29/2026 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.
