Former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen was arrested last Thursday in Winona after a traffic stop and now faces a gross misdemeanor charge for allegedly driving in violation of a restricted license tied to a prior drunken driving case. Officers say they clocked him at 62 mph in a 40 mph zone on Riverview Drive and reported that his vehicle did not have the ignition interlock device required under his license conditions. He was booked into the Winona County Jail and released the next day, with his next court appearance set for Aug. 28.
According to Star Tribune reporting, charging papers filed in Winona County say Griffen was stopped around 8:10 p.m. on Riverview Drive and cited for “Driving in Violation of a Restricted License - Ignition Interlock Violation.” The complaint states that the vehicle did not have the required interlock device installed, a restriction that stems from an earlier drunken driving sentence. Star Tribune also reports he was released from custody without bail ahead of the August hearing.
Griffen Pushes Back After Traffic Stop
Griffen publicly pushed back on the arrest, taking to social media to tell his side. He posted that “Nothing happened when I got pulled over last night” and insisted he “wasn’t drinking, wasn’t smoking, and wasn’t doing anything wrong,” as summarized by the Star Tribune. The outlet also reports that the Minnesota Department of Public Safety confirmed Griffen had been driving after his license had been revoked. His Instagram post did not directly address the allegation that he was required to use an ignition interlock device.
Prior Cases That Set Up This Restriction
This latest arrest follows a series of traffic and alcohol-related incidents since Griffen’s NFL playing days. He pleaded guilty to third-degree DWI tied to a May 2024 stop and in November 2024 was sentenced to 60 days on electronic home monitoring and placed on four years of supervised probation, according to Sports Illustrated. Local coverage has also detailed a July 2023 stop in Chanhassen where officers recorded a preliminary breath test above the legal limit, along with other speeding citations, as reported by KSTP.
What Minnesota Law Says About Ignition Interlock Violations
Under Minnesota law, operating a vehicle in violation of an alcohol-related license restriction can be charged as a gross misdemeanor, and state statutes specifically address failing to use a required ignition interlock device. The rules for restricted licenses and the consequences for breaking them are set out by the state’s Revisor of Statutes. A gross misdemeanor in Minnesota can carry up to 364 days in jail and fines up to $3,000, according to state penalty rules. See Minnesota Statutes and related Minnesota penalty statutes.
What Comes Next In Winona County Court
Griffen is scheduled to appear in Winona County District Court on Aug. 28, when the court and prosecutors will take up the charging document and map out any follow-up proceedings. If the county continues to pursue the gross misdemeanor count, it will be considered alongside his existing probation terms. We will be watching court records and local coverage for any updates on how the case moves forward.
