Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) Donovan Wayne Cobenais of Redby has been charged in Beltrami County after a DWI stop in Bemidji. Court records say the case stems from an early morning traffic stop on Feb. 8, 2026. Prosecutors filed one gross misdemeanor count. The charge says he drove with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more within two hours of driving.
The criminal complaint says the stop happened at about 2:17 a.m. An officer was on patrol near Delton Avenue and 30th Street. The officer saw a truck that appeared to be moving faster than the posted speed limit. The complaint says the truck was then followed through the Anne Street roundabout.
Traffic Stop in Bemidji
According to the complaint, the truck drifted inside its lane several times. It also moved toward the fog line and back toward the center line. Court documents say the truck later crossed the fog line. That led to the traffic stop.
The driver was identified as Donovan Wayne Cobenais, 29. The complaint says he showed several signs of impairment during the stop. Those signs included slurred speech, watery eyes, and dilated pupils. Court records say he gave mixed answers about why the vehicle crossed the line. He also said he was coming from downtown. The complaint says he told the officer he had only been drinking water.
Breath Test Result
The complaint says Cobenais did not perform field sobriety tests in a satisfactory way. A preliminary breath test later showed a reading of .165, according to court records. He was then taken to the Beltrami County Jail for further testing.
Once at the jail, the complaint says he agreed to a breath test after the Minnesota advisory was read. That test showed an alcohol concentration of .16, according to the filing. Prosecutors then charged him with gross misdemeanor DWI. The complaint lists a maximum possible penalty of up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Case Status
The case was filed in Beltrami County District Court under file number 04-CR-26-374. A complaint is only an allegation. It is not a conviction. The case remains pending.
Court records say a review of Cobenais’ driving and criminal history found no prior alcohol-related convictions or license revocations. Readers can learn more through the Minnesota DWI statute and the Bemidji Police Department.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
