Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) – Wendi Lynn Fairbanks of Red Lake is facing several charges after a reported police chase near Akeley.
The case was filed in Beltrami County District Court under court file 04-CR-26-1028.
Fairbanks is charged with first-degree assault, first-degree drug possession, fleeing police, and DWI.
The charges are only accusations. Fairbanks is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Complaint Alleges Two Vehicles Traveled Together
According to the complaint, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force was investigating Fairbanks for possible drug trafficking.
Investigators said Fairbanks was traveling from the Twin Cities metro toward Beltrami County on May 2.
The complaint says two vehicles were later seen traveling together through Akeley.
Law enforcement believed the vehicles may have been working together, according to the court filing.
A traffic stop was attempted near Highway 2 in Beltrami County.
One vehicle stopped. A Dodge Charger then fled, according to the complaint.
High-Speed Chase Reported
The complaint alleges the Charger crossed Highway 2 and reached speeds over 100 miles per hour.
Authorities said the driver threw an object from the window during the chase.
The complaint also alleges the vehicle swerved toward a squad car twice.
Law enforcement later used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle.
Authorities said the vehicle then struck another squad vehicle head-on.
The complaint says the vehicle also backed into another squad car.
Drug Allegations Listed In Complaint
Fairbanks was later identified as the driver, according to the complaint.
Authorities said she showed signs of recent drug use.
The complaint alleges Fairbanks admitted to using methamphetamine within the past 24 hours.
Authorities also said a bag of suspected fentanyl was found during the investigation.
The court charge lists first-degree drug possession involving 25 grams or more of heroin.
The probable cause statement describes a suspected fentanyl substance weighing about 42 grams.
More information on Minnesota drug laws is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Second Vehicle Also Searched
The second vehicle was driven by Shanelle Lea Sigana, according to the complaint.
Sandra Renee Sigana was listed as a passenger.
A young child was also found sleeping in the rear luggage area, the complaint says.
Authorities reported finding more than 50 grams of suspected fentanyl under Sandra Sigana’s seat.
Shanelle Sigana allegedly claimed Fairbanks placed the substance in the vehicle.
The complaint also says Shanelle Sigana admitted to using fentanyl earlier.
Fairbanks faces a maximum of 20 years for the assault charge.
She also faces up to 40 years on the first-degree drug charge.
Details on Minnesota fleeing laws are listed by the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Court records can be searched through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.