Perley Welfare Check Leads to 5 Drug Charges

Perley (trfnews.i234.me) — A welfare check near Perley resulted in five drug-related charges against a Dilworth man.

Michael Jacob Bendel-Paulson, 37, is charged in Norman County District Court.

The charges stem from a July 30, 2026, investigation at a rural Norman County property.

Deputy Responds To Welfare Check

According to the complaint, law enforcement responded after someone requested a welfare check on a resident.

The caller also expressed concerns that Bendel-Paulson was stealing from the resident.

A separate report said a nearby property owner wanted Bendel-Paulson removed from that property.

The complaint says Bendel-Paulson was already subject to court-ordered release conditions.

Those conditions included random drug testing and restrictions against possessing drugs or alcohol.

They also prohibited him from entering the property where deputies reportedly found him.

A deputy located Bendel-Paulson and brought him outside, according to court records.

The complaint alleges a syringe was found in Bendel-Paulson’s pocket.

Bendel-Paulson reportedly said he had picked up the syringe earlier near Minnesota State University Moorhead.

The homeowner gave law enforcement permission to search the property, according to the complaint.

Investigators reported finding a glass pipe containing suspected methamphetamine.

The pipe later tested positive for methamphetamine during a field test, prosecutors allege.

Deputies also reported finding several new and apparently used syringes.

Burned foil and several prescription bottles were also found, according to court records.

The medications included Trazodone, Divalproex, Clonidine and Buspar.

Prosecutors allege those prescription bottles were labeled for other people.

The complaint also says Bendel-Paulson declined to provide a urine sample.

Bendel-Paulson faces one gross misdemeanor fifth-degree controlled substance charge.

That charge carries up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.

He also faces four misdemeanor counts involving alleged unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

Each misdemeanor carries up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The complaint also notes an outstanding North Dakota warrant related to separate misdemeanor charges.

Information about prescription drug rules is available under Minnesota Statute 151.37.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.

Bendel-Paulson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.