The following charges were filed in Dakota County last week:
Shawn Justin Anderson, 41, Minneapolis, was charged on Dec. 21 with gross misdemeanor 3rd degree driving while impaired, refusing the breath test, and misdemeanor 4th degree driving while impaired under influence of alcohol. On Dec 19th, deputies responded to a call about a vehicle stuck in a ditch on Emery Avenue in the Township of Vermillion. Deputies arrived at the scene to find two individuals, one trying to dig out the vehicle and the other, Anderson, in the driver’s seat. When a deputy approached the vehicle, Anderson moved from the driver’s seat to the backseat. The vehicle had an overwhelming odor of consumed alcohol. Anderson refused to respond to questions or exit the vehicle. It was noted that Anderson’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, and his speech was slurred and incoherent. Anderson continued to refuse to leave the vehicle, so the deputies removed him and placed him under arrest. During a search of the vehicle, numerous alcoholic beverage containers were found, some of which were empty. Anderson twice refused a breath test. Later at the Dakota County Jail, Anderson asked why he was there. The deputy informed Anderson that it was part of a DWI investigation. Anderson responded, “this has to be the easiest DWI you ever got.” Anderson was booked in the Dakota County Jail.
Darnell Leslie Counce, 46, Circle Pines, was charged Dec. 20 with felony controlled substance crime in the 5th degree. On May 5th, in a routine traffic stop in the city of Hastings, it was noted that the passenger of the vehicle, Counce, was sleeping and not wearing his seatbelt. It was determined that Counce had an active warrant for his arrest. During a search of Counce, the officer recovered a baggie that later tested positive for fentanyl. A court summons was issued.
Justin Lee Erickson, 38, Hastings, was charged Dec. 22 with felony violation of domestic abuse no contact order with two prior convictions. On Dec. 20th, an officer observed Erickson driving into a parking ramp adjacent to the apartment complex known to be the home of the victim. Erickson, having prior felony domestic abuse no contact order (DANCO) violations, was approached by an officer in the courtyard of the victim’s apartment building. Erickson stated he was there to pick up his son. The officer advised Erickson of the DANCO prohibition and placed him under arrest. Erickson was booked in the Dakota County Jail.
Jose Alfredo Tarrios, 34, Lakeville, was charged Dec. 22 with two counts felony violation abuse no contact order with two prior convictions, felony controlled substance crime in the 5th degree possession, and gross misdemeanor introduce or possess contraband into jail, lockup or prison. An investigation was launched on June 9th, 2021, into contraband found in the Dakota County Jail. Several inmates were interviewed by deputies, including Tarrios. Tarrios, after being read his Miranda rights, stated that drugs were coming into the jail through the mail system. On June 15th, 2021, Tarrios’ recent video calls were reviewed. After watching the videos which identified three objects of interest; a blue spray bottle, various pieces of paper and envelopes, deputies searched Tarrios’ jail property finding a piece of paper testing positive for methamphetamine with a net weight of 7.95 grams. Investigators requested all of Tarrios’ video calls from the previous two weeks. The requested video calls showed Tarrios in contact 22 times with an identified woman who had a domestic abuse no contact order against him. Tarrios has at least two prior domestic abuse related convictions, the first dating back to 2017. A court summons was issued.
Chavez Josiah Wagaman, 30, Hastings, was charged Dec. 22 with two counts of felony financial transaction card fraud, use without consent for more than $250 up to $2,500. A report was received on June 22nd that a vulnerable adult’s EBT card was being used by someone who did not have permission to use the card. Officers investigated the situation and confirmed that the vulnerable adult had given his EBT card to his neighbor and friend, Wagaman, six months prior to purchase food on his behalf because he was unable to walk. Wagaman was contacted by officers and admitted to assisting the vulnerable adult with purchasing food approximately six months ago. The Defendant stated, “that food had been delivered by a delivery company to his address on numerous occasions within the prior six months but believed the vulnerable adult had mistakenly had it delivered to the wrong address”. Wagaman accepted the food because he believed it would’ve been thrown away otherwise. A court summons was ordered.
