Brown County

District Court

• Ian M. Matuska, 28, Crosby, was charged March 3 with gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation-inimical to public safety and misdemeanor fail to mail/deliver certificate of title to dept. within specified timeframes; engage in cellular phone or video call; and vehicle registration/permit/plates required. A court appearance was set for 8:30 a.m., March 24.

According to court documents, Brown County Deputy Justin Bauer was northbound on State Highway 15 in a marked squad car at 10:20 a.m. Jan. 24 when he observed an oncoming vehicle displaying expired registration just south of the Cottonwood River bridge. Bauer turned around to do a traffic stop and the vehicle was not in sight.

Nearing Shag Road, Bauer noticed the suspect vehicle in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) driveway. Bauer pulled over and waited a short time, then stopped the suspect vehicle driven by a man who appeared to be talking on his phone. The driver said he didn’t have a driver’s license but was identified as Matuska with a Crosby address.

Matuska displayed intoxication clues. He told Bauer he bought the vehicle a month ago and planned to sell it to make some money. Bauer reminded him Minnesota law requires a vehicle title be transferred within 10 days of purchase. Bauer learned the vehicle was not registered in Matuska’s name. He admitted his license was cancelled as inimical to public safety. He was arrested for driving after cancellation.