Bemidji Man Charged After Highway 89 Stop

Bemidji Man Charged After Highway 89 Stop

Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man is facing a gross misdemeanor charge after a traffic stop on Highway 89.

John Joseph Waslaski has been charged in Beltrami County District Court with driving after cancellation. The charge says his driving privileges were canceled as being inimical to public safety.

The case was filed in Minnesota’s 9th Judicial District. The court file number is 04-CR-26-1079.

Traffic Stop Reported On Highway 89

According to the complaint, the stop happened on May 10, 2026, at about 6:28 p.m.

A Minnesota State Patrol trooper was traveling north on Highway 89 in Beltrami County. The trooper reported seeing a pickup traveling south.

The complaint says the pickup had tires extending outside the fenders. It also had dark window tint on the side windows.

The trooper turned around and stopped the pickup for the reported equipment violation.

License Status Checked

The driver was identified as John Joseph Waslaski, according to the complaint.

Waslaski reportedly said he did not have his license with him. He also said he was not sure whether it was valid.

The complaint says Waslaski showed paperwork from Sanford Clinic. He said it allowed dark window tint because of headaches.

The paperwork was dated February 2025. The complaint says it did not list a required tint percentage.

The trooper then checked Waslaski’s information. The complaint says the check showed his license was canceled as inimical to public safety.

Waslaski was then placed under arrest, according to court documents.

Charge Carries Possible Jail Time

The charge is listed as a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 171.24.

If convicted, Waslaski could face up to 364 days in jail. He could also face a $3,000 fine, or both.

The complaint also lists prior convictions in Waslaski’s Minnesota criminal history. Those include past drug and DWI-related convictions.

A criminal complaint is not a conviction. Waslaski is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Case information can be reviewed through Minnesota Court Records Online. More information about the Minnesota State Patrol is available through the Department of Public Safety.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.