Seth Andrew Rydell

On 03/12/26, at approximately 0803 hours, Ofc. McClain-Hayes responded to the McDonald's located in Moorhead, Clay County, MN in regards to a possible impaired driver. Dispatched relayed that the woman who initiated the 911 call indicated the male driver appeared passed out but breathing. The male driver was later identified to be SETH ANDREW RYDELL [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter referred to as Defendant. Upon arrival, Ofc. McClain-Hayes observed the Defendant was slumped over the center console of the vehicle while unconscious and in physical control of the vehicle.

There was also a small box viewed in the cupholder of the vehicle which appeared to be a crumpled piece of tin foil. The driver's door was unlocked, so the officer opened the door to wake up the Defendant. When the Defendant opened his eyes they were bloodshot and his speech was slow and slurred. Defendant's movement and speech appeared lethargic and confused. Ofc. McClain-Hayes asked the Defendant to perform standard field sobriety testing. The Defendant was asked to perform the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the one leg stand test, Romberg test, and the walk and turn test.

Ofc. McClain-Hayes observed clues of impairment during all four of the sobriety tests he conducted on the Defendant. Defendant took a PBT test which showed no alcohol in his system. Ofc. McClain-Hayes attempted to secure a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) to perform an additional drug testing, but was unable to secure a DRE. Ofc. McClain-Hayes secured a warrant for the Defendant's blood and/or urine for further testing. Defendant ultimately provided a urine sample which was sent to the BCA for further analysis.

When the Defendant was searched he was also in possession of several different sized, colored, and stamped pills. Five round pills were 1 mg of Clonazepam (stamped V 2531), six 1 mg Clonazepam (stamped Logo 67), five 1 mg Clonazepam (stamped C1), and two 2 mg Clonazepam (stamped Logo 69). Clonazepam is a schedule IV controlled substance and the Defendant did not have a prescription. Based on the totality of the investigation, Defendant was arrest for drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs.

Defendant has prior convictions for 5th Degree Drug Possession, the most recent conviction from 08/19/24 in casefile 14-CR-23-3270. Defendant also has a prior Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction from 09/25/18 in ND casefile FA-2018-CR-02897. Defendant has a separate DUI conviction from 08/23/16 in ND casefile FA-2016-CR-03510.