On December 13, 2025, at approximately 12:45 A.M., an officer with the Eagan Police Department stopped a motor vehicle on Lexington Avenue, near Interstate 35, in Eagan, Dakota County, Minnesota. The officers stopped the vehicle because it exhibited poor driving conduct, including crossing lane lines. After the vehicle stopped, the officer approached the vehicle on foot on the passenger side and spoke with the driver and sole occupant, identified as GABRIEL JOHNATHAN VALDEZ [DOB REDACTED]. While speaking with VALDEZ, the officer noticed that he exhibited lethargic movements.
The officer also noticed VALDEZ exhibit signs of possible impairment, including slurred speech. VALDEZ was unable to product insurance or identification. During the ensuing conversation, VALDEZ admitted to alcohol consumption. After collecting VALDEZ’s information, the officer returned to his squad vehicle, ran VALDEZ’s information, learned that he had a revoked driver’s license, and reapproached the vehicle. Once there, the officer had VALDEZ exit the vehicle. VALDEZ complied. The officer asked VALDEZ to perform the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test.
VALDEZ complied. The officer observed signs of possible impairment during the test. VALDEZ also provided a preliminary breath sample which revealed the presence of alcohol. The officer arrested VALDEZ on suspicion of driving while impaired (DWI). The officer searched VALDEZ’s person. During the search, the officer located a bag in VALDEZ’s pocket, which held smaller bags. The smaller bags each held a substance. The substances inside some of the baggies later field tested positive for the presence of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, and had a total net combined weight of greater than 0.25 grams.
Next, officers searched the vehicle. During the search, officers located, among other things, a baggie containing a substance in the driver’s area. 3 19HA-CR-26-103 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 1/21/2026 The officer transported VALDEZ to the police department. Once there, VALDEZ agreed to provide a breath sample after being read the Breath Test Advisory. The breath test indicated a 0.17 alcohol concentration at 2:19 A.M. VALDEZ has a DWI-related convicted in Minnesota from 2022.
