Passenger in speeding vehicle arrested on weapon charge

Hunter
11/10/23

A passenger in a speeding vehicle was taken into custody this week after he allegedly lied about his identity and illegally possessed a firearm.

A state trooper was southbound on Highway 218 Tuesday at around 12:40 am when a  Buick was checked with rear-radar, catching up to the police vehicle going 89 in a 65 mile-per-hour zone.  After the vehicle was stopped, the driver was identified as 20-year-old Deonte Howard. His passenger, 24-year-old Douglas M. Klauser of Prior Lake Minnesota, initially identified himself as Douglas D. Clauser (with a C) and a different date of birth.

The odor of marijuana was allegedly detected coming from the vehicle.  In addition, a search of the vehicle located a Glock handgun under Klauser’s seat. The chamber was empty but the magazine was full of ammunition.

A check of Klauser’s record showed a felony conviction for violating a restraining order, and several charges of domestic assault.

He was taken into custody and charged with Dominion or Control of a Firearm as a Felon and Interference with Official Acts. If convicted on both counts, Klauser could be sentenced to over five years in prison.