A man handed Woodbury police a fake Colorado driver’s license and admitted to having a pistol in his waistband during a traffic stop on Interstate 494, according to the complaint.

Devin Nathaniel Carlson, 30, faces three charges filed October 28 in Washington County District Court: felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, fifth-degree drug possession and possessing a fictitious or fraudulently altered driver’s license.

According to the complaint, officers stopped a vehicle at about 7:59 p.m. on October 27 near Interstate 494 and Lake Road in Woodbury for an improper registration sticker that was concealed. The driver, later identified as Carlson, provided a Colorado driver’s license in another name. Officers determined the license was fake and actually registered to another person.

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When confronted about the discrepancy, Carlson told officers he had warrants from the Department of Corrections and admitted he had a pistol in his waistband. Officers secured the pistol and removed a round from the chamber. They confirmed Carlson had an active warrant for a previous offense involving ineligible possession of ammunition or a firearm.

Carlson also told officers he had “molly” (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) in his pocket. The complaint states a female passenger in the vehicle identified herself as the owner and admitted the license plate was expired and not registered. She was arrested for intent to escape tax.

During a search of the vehicle, officers found a small grey purse hanging over the driver’s seat headrest. Inside the purse, they found a substance that preliminarily tested positive for methamphetamine.

Carlson is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, which alleges he illegally possessed a pistol while having a prior conviction for a crime of violence. He is also charged with fifth-degree drug possession for the suspected methamphetamine and with possessing a fictitious or fraudulently altered driver’s license for providing the fake Colorado ID.

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Jurisdictional Context

Washington County, on the eastern edge of the Twin Cities metro, is served by the Washington County Attorney’s Office through the Tenth Judicial District. Felony cases are heard at the Washington County Government Center in Stillwater.