Trisha Ruth Wateski

On March 12, 2026, at approximately 1:13 P.M., Deputy Meyer of the Mower County Sheriff’s Office was traveling eastbound on 29th Avenue SE near 4th Street SW in the City of Austin, County of Mower, when he observed a silver 2021 Nissan Maxima (MN LIC/KMH737). Meyer followed the vehicle and observed it cross completely over the center lines multiple times in less than half-a-mile. After the vehicle crossed through the intersection of 29th Avenue and 4th Street SE, Meyer activated his emergency lights.

The vehicle came to a stop on 29th Avenue NE and 17th Street SE. Deputy Meyer approached the vehicle and contacted the lone driver, TRISHA RUTH WATESKI, DOB/072074, the defendant herein. While speaking with the defendant, Meyer observed she had dilated pupils, twitching hands, and fast speech. Meyer could also smell the odor of methamphetamine coming from inside the vehicle. When asked about drug use, the defendant said no, that she had gone through drug court and used medications for narcotic withdrawals.

Deputy Meyer asked the defendant to perform the following field sobriety tests: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus; Lack of Convergence; Modified Romberg; Walk and Turn, fail. During the tests, Meyer observed the defendant to have eye lid flutter, hand twitching, and balance issues. The defendant was placed under arrest and later transported to the Mower County Jail. During the search of the vehicle, Deputy Meyer located on the front passenger seat the defendant’s purse. Inside the defendant’s purse, Meyer located her old MN ID card, a small clear plastic baggie with 0.9 grams of methamphetamine (later field tested positive), and a loaded syringe with.4 grams of liquid meth inside it.

At the jail, Deputy Meyer applied for and was granted a search warrant for a sample of the defendant’s blood or urine. Meyer provided the warrant to the defendant and advised her that refusal to submit to a chemical test is a crime. The defendant agreed to a urine test (kit #U249108). The sample was sent to the BCA laboratory for analysis. A review of the defendant’s criminal history reflects a prior conviction for 1st Degree Drug – Sale dated October 15, 2018 (Olmsted County District Court file 55-CR-18-3461).