Bemidji Man Charged In DWI Test Refusal Case
Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man is facing two gross misdemeanor charges after a December traffic stop in Beltrami County.
Thomas Henry Cheney is charged in Beltrami County District Court with DWI test refusal and driving after cancellation. The case was filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 04-CR-26-1061.
The charges stem from an alleged incident on December 4, 2025, in the city of Bemidji. According to the complaint, deputies were at a Lake Avenue Southeast residence while assisting with a search warrant.
Traffic Stop Near Lake Avenue Southeast
The complaint says law enforcement was watching for Cheney, who was linked to a silver Ford F-150. A matching truck was later seen near Sixth Street Southeast and Lake Avenue Southeast.
Authorities allege the truck passed the residence, then turned onto Seventh Street Southeast. A traffic stop was then conducted.
During the stop, Cheney allegedly asked why officers were at his residence. He was told about the search warrant. He was also told his driving privileges were canceled as being inimical to public safety.
Complaint Alleges Signs Of Impairment
The complaint alleges deputies noticed signs consistent with impairment while speaking with Cheney. He was then asked to perform field sobriety testing.
According to the complaint, Cheney did not satisfactorily perform the walk-and-turn test. He allegedly admitted to using marijuana the day before.
When asked about methamphetamine use, Cheney allegedly said it had been two to four weeks. He later said he had not used marijuana or methamphetamine that day.
Cheney was arrested and taken to the Beltrami County Jail.
Search Warrant And Test Refusal Alleged
The complaint says a search warrant was later obtained for a blood or urine sample. Cheney was allegedly shown the signed warrant.
Authorities say Cheney was told that the refusal to provide a sample was a crime. The complaint alleges he was asked several times to provide a sample.
Cheney ultimately refused, according to the complaint.
He is charged under Minnesota’s DWI statute. He is also charged under Minnesota’s driving after cancellation law.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine. Court records can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
A criminal complaint is not a conviction. Cheney is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
