Bemidji Man Faces Fentanyl, Burglary Charges

BEMIDJI (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces two charges after an alleged theft at Walmart.

Joseph Paul Lajeunesse, 41, is charged in Beltrami County District Court. The case was filed under court number 04-CR-26-1245.

Felony Drug Charge Filed

The complaint charges Lajeunesse with fifth-degree controlled substance possession. That count is listed as a felony.

He also faces fourth-degree burglary. That count is a gross misdemeanor.

The charges stem from an incident reported around 7:22 p.m. on May 29, 2026.

Walmart staff reported a suspected shoplifting case to Bemidji police. Staff identified Lajeunesse and reported an earlier trespass notice.

The complaint states the notice was issued on May 23, 2026. It reportedly ordered him to leave and not return.

Store staff told police they saw Lajeunesse hide a flashlight. Police later reviewed store surveillance video.

The video allegedly showed Lajeunesse taking the flashlight from a shelf. The complaint says he placed it inside his clothing.

Joseph Paul Lajeunesse

An officer stopped Lajeunesse as he left the store. He was then taken to the store’s asset protection office.

Lajeunesse allegedly removed the flashlight and placed it on a table. Police then arrested him on an active warrant.

Police searched Lajeunesse during the arrest. The complaint says they found a small foil packet in his pocket.

The packet contained a fine white powder, according to the filing. Lajeunesse reportedly said he found it on the ground.

A field test indicated the substance was fentanyl. The powder weighed about 0.11 grams, according to the complaint.

Minnesota law covers fifth-degree controlled substance crimes under Section 152.025.

Fourth-degree burglary is covered under Section 609.582.

The drug count carries a listed maximum sentence of five years. It also carries a possible $10,000 fine.

The burglary count carries a listed maximum sentence of 364 days. It also carries a possible $3,000 fine.

The case is pending in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District. Public information may appear through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The charges are allegations. Lajeunesse is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.