On 11/30/2025, at approximately 1:25 A.M., Anoka County Sheriff Deputy Martinez was on routine patrol when he observed a 2010 Ford F150 bearing Minnesota license number ZFY309, in the center ditch of Highway 65 NE and 169th Avenue NE, in the City of Ham Lake, County of Anoka. The vehicle was still running, and the Deputy observed the driver was attempting to get his vehicle out of the ditch. The vehicle appeared to have left the roadway and was stuck in the ditch. Deputy Martinez made contact with the driver to see if he could be of assistance.
The driver was later identified as CONNOR JAMES MILLER [DOB REDACTED], herein the defendant, and asked if he was injured. He advised the Deputy that he was not and stated he was fine. The Deputy asked the defendant if he needed any help and offered to start a tow truck to pull him out, and he stated he would appreciate that. As Deputy Martinez was speaking with the defendant, he observed an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the defendant’s breath as he spoke. The defendant then got out of his vehicle.
The Deputy observed the defendant lose his balance and slip. The defendant then stated that he was cold and asked if he could sit in the back of the squad car. While both the Deputy and the defendant were inside the squad car, Deputy Martinez noticed the odor of a consumed alcoholic beverage became stronger and more pronounced. In addition, the Deputy observed that the defendant’s speech was slurred and slowed. Deputy Martinez got out of his squad and opened the back door. While looking at the defendant, he observed his eyes were bloodshot and watery.
The Deputy asked the defendant how much he had to drink, and he advised that he had 3 beers, the last 1 being 30 minutes prior to the Deputy stopping. Due to the icy/snowy weather conditions, Deputy Martinez believed it would be unsafe to conduct roadside Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. While the defendant was sitting in the backseat of the squad, the Deputy was able to conduct Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN). During HGN, Deputy Martinez observed a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes.
I The Deputy then asked the defendant if he would provide a Preliminary Breath Test sample. He agreed, and the resulting breath sample tested with a.248 alcohol concentration. At this point, based on the circumstances showing indicia of impairment, Deputy Martinez placed the defendant under arrest. Deputy Trupe arrived on the scene to assist and found a partial bottle of Bailey's Irish Whiskey on the front passenger seat, along with an empty "shooter" of Jamison Whiskey that still contained a small amount of liquid.
He also found another shooter on the driver's side floor, which also had a small amount of liquid in it. Deputy Martinez transported the defendant to the Anoka County Sheriff’s office, where he read the Minnesota Breath Test Advisory to the defendant at 2:09 A.M. The defendant stated he understood and asked to speak with an attorney. The defendant began his attorney time, and the Deputy heard him place a personal phone call where 3 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 12/1/2025 Deputy Martinez heard him say "I f***** up" and "you can save your I told you so's for later". The defendant then again continued in his personal conversation before hanging up.
