On February 27, 2026, at 10:41 P.M. Deputy Hansen observed a vehicle with extremely dark window tint on the front and back windows on both sides of the vehicle traveling on Nelson Boulevard in Montrose, Wright County, Minnesota. Deputy Hansen stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Tara Renaye Molnau, [DOB redacted], defendant herein. The defendant was unable to sit still and continued to fidget while Deputy Hansen was speaking with her. The defendant showed signs of having used a controlled substance in that she clenched her jaw, ground her teeth repeatedly, and clicked her tongue consistent with having a dry mouth.
The defendant had watery eyes. Deputy Hansen had the defendant step from the vehicle to speak with her. The defendant swayed back and forth and could not stand in one place. The defendant was unable to remain on point but jumped from topic to topic without being prompted. The defendant admitted to recent methamphetamine use saying she had used one week prior. The defendant admitted having mushrooms in the vehicle. Deputy Hansen determined the defendant had driven while under the influence of a controlled substance.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 1.91 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms containing phencyclidine. Deputy Hansen obtained a search warrant authorizing the taking of a blood or urine sample from the defendant as there was probable cause to believe the defendant had driven while under the influence of a controlled substance. The defendant said she would provide a urine sample pursuant to the warrant, but the defendant would not provide a urine sample despite given the time and opportunity to do so.
Court records show the defendant was convicted of DWI in 2017 (19HA-CR-17-405).
