A sworn officer of the Stearns County Sheriff's Office duly states the following facts establish PROBABLE CAUSE: On or about May 15, 2025, at approximately 2:39PM, Deputy Dennis Kern was traveling southbound on County Road 2 near County Road 51 in the City of St. Joseph, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota, when he observed a silver 2011 Buick Lucerne bearing Minnesota license plate [PLATE REDACTED] with window tint that appeared to be darker than allowed by the state law. Deputy Kern initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle.
Upon making contact with the driver, Deputy Kern identified him by his Minnesota driver's license as Daniel Jason Philippi, [DOB REDACTED], the Defendant herein. Deputy Kern's window tint meter showed a light transmittance of 22 percent, well below the 50 percent allowed tint. The Defendant provided Deputy Kern with an insurance card. However, the card showed that insurance expired in 2024. The Defendant was unable to provide updated proof of insurance. While speaking with the Defendant, Deputy Kern observed a case of Michelob Golden Draft Light beer on the passenger seat.
The case was torn open and at least one can was missing. Deputy Kern detected a slight odor of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle. The Defendant provided Deputy Kern a receipt from a credit union even though he was not asked to do so. The Defendant refused to roll down his window all the way, making it difficult for Deputy Kern to speak with him. Deputy Kern requested that the Defendant perform standardized field sobriety tests. The Defendant denied consuming any alcohol and responded, stating "I'm okay." The Defendant ultimately complied.
During testing, Deputy Kern observed multiple validated clues of impairment. The Defendant reluctantly provided a preliminary breath sample. Results indicated that the Defendant had a breath alcohol concentration of.228. Deputy Kern placed the Defendant under arrest for suspicion of driving while impaired. At 2:51PM, Deputy Kern read to the Defendant the Minnesota Breath Test Advisory. The Defendant acknowledged that he understood and agreed to take the Breath test. At 3:14PM, and within two hours of being in control of his vehicle, the Defendant provided two sufficient breath samples via the DataMaster DMT. Results provided for a reported value of.24. The Defendant provided a Mirandized statement to Deputy Kern.
He stated that he was driving from St. Cloud and consumed two "pounder cans" of beer prior to leaving St. Cloud. Further, the Defendant provided that the last beer he consumed was just prior to Deputy Kern pulling him over, stating that he hid the beer in the armrest of his vehicle prior to being pulled over. Complainant has reason to believe and does believe that all above information is true and correct. The above facts constitute the complainant's basis for believing that the above-named defendant, on or about May 15, 2025, in the City of St. Joseph, County of Stearns, State of Minnesota, committed the described offenses herein.
