Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) A Bemidji man is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after a late-night traffic stop in Beltrami County, according to a criminal complaint filed in Ninth Judicial District Court.
The complaint names Cheyenne John Waybenais Jr., 23, of Bemidji. Court records show the charge stems from a stop early on March 7, 2026. The case is listed in Beltrami County District Court under file number 04-CR-26-588.
What the complaint says
According to the complaint, police spotted a Nissan sedan near Hannah Avenue and 28th Street at about 12:47 a.m. The vehicle had temporary Minnesota registration tags. The complaint says the driver was identified as Waybenais.
The complaint also says the driver’s license status was revoked. Officers then followed the vehicle and later stopped it after seeing a traffic violation, the filing states.
After the stop, the complaint says officers noticed a strong smell of alcohol. It also says Waybenais stumbled while getting out of the vehicle. The filing states he admitted he had been drinking the night before.
Police then used field sobriety tests, according to the complaint. The filing says Waybenais did not perform those tests well. A preliminary breath test allegedly showed an alcohol concentration of .227.
The complaint says he was taken to the Beltrami County Jail. There, he agreed to a breath test after the Minnesota breath test advisory was read, according to the filing. That test allegedly showed a result of .21.
Charge filed in Beltrami County
Prosecutors charged Waybenais with driving while impaired with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours. The complaint lists the charge as a gross misdemeanor. It cites Minnesota Statute 169A.20.1(5), with reference to 169A.25.2.
Charging documents are allegations only. A charge does not mean a person is guilty. The case will move through court unless it is dismissed or resolved earlier.
Prior cases noted in filing
The complaint also references Waybenais’ criminal and driving history. It lists a pending gross misdemeanor property damage case. It also lists probation status in a prior pistol permit case and a prior DWI case.
Readers can review Minnesota court records through the Minnesota Court Records Online system. Information about Minnesota DWI law is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Beltrami County public safety resources are available on the county’s official website.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
