Bemidji Arrest Leads to Felony Charge Over Spitting

BEMIDJI (trfnews.i234.me) — A Little Falls man faces three charges after a reported threat and an arrest in downtown Bemidji.

Dean Wayne Stately, 36, is accused of threatening a woman and her young son. He also allegedly spit toward an officer while in custody.

The allegations appear in a Beltrami County District Court complaint related to September 25, 2026.

Woman Reports Threats Near Downtown Business

Police received a report of threats around 9:10 p.m. near Fourth Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue Northwest.

A woman told police she was walking with her three-year-old son near Iverson Drug.

She said Stately approached them from an alley and began making threats.

According to the complaint, Stately insulted the woman and threatened to beat both her and her child.

She said he tried to follow them across the street and nearly got hit by a vehicle.

The woman also reported that Stately said he planned to drink at a bar.

Dispatch later informed police that Stately had called and offered to make a statement.

Officers also learned he had an active misdemeanor warrant.

The woman then reported seeing him near Keg n Kork.

An officer found Stately in an alley behind the business, yelling toward a Jeep.

Stately refused to give a statement, according to the complaint.

The officer arrested him on the outstanding warrant and placed him in handcuffs.

Police say Stately became agitated and repeatedly pulled his arm away while being escorted to a patrol vehicle.

Once inside, he allegedly leaned forward and spit toward the officer.

Saliva landed on the officer’s hand and the patrol vehicle, the complaint states.

Stately then spit toward the ground and denied spitting at the officer.

During the trip to the Beltrami County Jail, he reportedly apologized for his attitude. He also said he had been sick.

Stately faces felony fourth-degree assault of a peace officer under Minnesota Statute 609.2231.

That charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a $6,000 fine, or both.

He also faces gross misdemeanor fifth-degree assault under Minnesota Statute 609.224.

Prosecutors allege the assault occurred within three years of a qualifying earlier conviction.

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

The third charge is misdemeanor disorderly conduct under Minnesota Statute 609.72.

That offense carries a maximum of 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

The complaint also lists previous convictions involving assault, theft, trespassing, and other offenses.

Those records include earlier felony convictions for assaulting peace officers.

Court documents also identify several pending criminal cases involving Stately.

Those pending cases include allegations of theft, trespassing, and obstructing legal process.

Pending charges are separate allegations and do not establish guilt.

The case is listed as 04-CR-26-2384 in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

Readers can search public case information through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The charges remain allegations, and Stately is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.