by Anna Erickson,
Staff Writer
A Verndale man was picked up for allegedly driving while impaired on April 5, a week after he was charged with felony drug possession. He was subject to release conditions, according to court reports.
David Dale Trosen, 60, Verndale, is charged with third-degree driving while impaired, a gross misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty of one year and a $3,000 fine.
At about 10:22 p.m. on April 5, a Wadena County deputy saw a vehicle crossing the fog line and making abrupt corrections. The vehicle was pulled over. Trosen, who was driving the vehicle, was asked to step out of the vehicle and the deputy noticed he seemed off balance, according to court reports.
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After calling in Trosen's information to dispatch, the deputy was told he was subject to release conditions due to a pending controlled substance crime charge.
According to court documents:
- Trosen was unsuccessful in completing field sobriety tests but a preliminary breath test indicated no alcohol.
- A drug recognition evaluation indicated Trosen was probably under the influence of a controlled substance.
- At about 11:15 p.m., Trosen was transported to Tri-County Hospital and a blood sample was taken and sent to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis.
- Trosen had a prior DWI in May 1998.
Trosen was charged with felony third-degree possession of a controlled substance after a search warrant was executed on March 27. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years and a $250,000 fine.
Law enforcement found 67 marijuana plants at Trosen's home, along with meth, bags of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. At Trosen's insurance business in Verndale, 3 grams of meth were found in a desk drawer. Also, 1.4 grams of a substance field-tested positive for cocaine.
He has a prior felony drug conviction from November 1999, which requires a mandatory commitment to prison for subsequent drug violations, according to court reports.
