Bemidji Man Charged With Drug DWI, Meth Possession

Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces three charges following a June traffic stop.

Joshua James Fairbanks was charged in Beltrami County District Court. The case was filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

The charges include fifth-degree drug possession and second-degree DWI. He also faces driving after his license was cancelled.

All three charges are allegations. Fairbanks is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Traffic Stop in Downtown Bemidji

The case began on June 12, 2026, according to the criminal complaint.

Police saw a Chevrolet Impala leaving an address linked to suspected drug activity. The vehicle later entered a gas station near Fourth Street.

The complaint says the driver braked after seeing a squad vehicle. The car then reversed into the parking lot.

Police followed the vehicle after it left the lot. The driver allegedly accelerated and failed to fully stop.

An officer stopped the car near Fourth Street and Minnesota Avenue.

Police identified Fairbanks as the driver. Records showed his license was canceled as inimical to public safety.

The officer reported seeing signs that could point to possible drug use. These included glassy eyes and rapid movements.

Joshua James Fairbanks

Fairbanks agreed to complete field sobriety tests, the complaint states.

Police arrested him for suspected DWI and his canceled driving status.

During a search, police allegedly found a small bag in his pants pocket. It contained a white powdery substance.

A field test indicated the substance was methamphetamine, according to the complaint. Police reported a weight of 0.78 grams.

Fairbanks was taken to the Beltrami County Jail. A judge later approved a warrant for a urine sample.

The complaint says Fairbanks provided the requested sample. Final laboratory results were not listed in the filing.

The drug charge was filed under Minnesota Statute 152.025.

The license charge cites Minnesota Statute 171.24.

Court records list prior DWI convictions as aggravating factors. Those factors could affect the DWI case.

The drug count carries a possible five-year sentence and a $10,000 fine. Each other count carries up to 364 days.

Additional case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.