NEW ULM — A 54-year-old rural New Ulm man faces four charges after an early-morning traffic stop on TH 15, several miles south of New Ulm.

Charges including felony carrying a pistol without a permit-second or subsequent offense, and misdemeanor carrying pistol while under the influence of alcohol, and two counts of fourth-degree DWI were filed June 23 against Lonnie D. Brandes, 53616 422nd St., New Ulm.

Bail without conditions was set at $15,000 Wednesday. A hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. July 6.

According to the complaint, a Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy on routine patrol southbound on TH 15, just south of 167th Street, saw a northbound vehicle about four vehicle lengths in front of the squad car, that passed over the fog line on the road shoulder, then over the centerline.

The deputy turned around to follow the suspect vehicle that continued weaving back and forth between the center and fog line, and stopped the vehicle near Broadway and 20th Street S., identifying the driver as Brandes.

Law enforcement told the deputy Brandes was known to carry firearms without a permit when consuming alcohol. Brandes failed certain field sobriety tests. A preliminary breath test resulted in a .096 reading and Brandes was arrested for DWI. He said he was carrying a firearm in his left boot in an ankle holster. Brandes carried a Glock model 42, .380 caliber auto handgun.

At the Brown County Jail, a DMT (Datamaster) test read .08.

Law enforcement confirmed from Brown County dispatch that Brandes does not have a permit to carry in Minnesota. He was convicted of gross misdemeanor carry/possess pistol without permit – public place on Oct. 21, 2020 in Blue Earth County Court.