Bemidji Man Faces DWI Charge With Child in SUV

BEMIDJI, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – A Red Lake man faces two criminal charges after a traffic stop in Bemidji involving a young child inside an SUV.

Daniel Lee White, 42, of Red Lake, is charged with second-degree DWI involving a controlled substance and driving after revocation.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Beltrami County District Court, deputies observed several signs of possible impairment during the October 26, 2026, stop.

Deputies Stop SUV for License Plate Violation

At approximately 7:27 p.m., Beltrami County deputies were patrolling eastbound on Paul Bunyan Drive NW.

They noticed a light-colored Ford SUV passing their patrol vehicle with an inoperable rear license plate light.

Deputies conducted a traffic stop near 515 Paul Bunyan Drive NW.

According to the complaint, White immediately exited the vehicle before being directed to remain inside.

As deputies approached, they noticed a young child sitting in the back seat.

Driver Admits Having No Valid License

White told deputies that he did not have a valid driver’s license.

According to court documents, deputies observed glassy eyes, unusual finger movements, and restless behavior.

White reportedly denied taking medications when initially questioned about possible impairment.

He agreed to participate in field sobriety testing.

Field Sobriety Tests Raise Concerns

During testing, deputies reported observing unusual eye movements and difficulty maintaining balance.

According to the complaint, White made an improper turn during a walking test and stopped before completing it.

During another test, he reportedly swayed and placed his foot on the ground.

Deputies also described eyelid tremors and shaking during a modified balance test.

After testing, White acknowledged using THC earlier that evening, according to court documents.

Deputies subsequently arrested him on suspicion of impaired driving.

Young Child Found Inside Vehicle

The complaint states that a child approximately two years old was riding in the SUV.

The child’s mother was seated in the front passenger seat.

Following White’s arrest, the child was left in her care.

Investigators also discovered that White had a prior qualifying DWI-related license revocation from 2024.

The previous impaired-driving incident and the presence of a young child are potential aggravating factors under Minnesota DWI law.

Straw With White Residue Found During Search

Deputies searched the SUV following the arrest.

According to the complaint, investigators discovered a straw containing a noticeable amount of white powder-like residue.

White was transported to a Bemidji emergency room, where authorities obtained a search warrant for chemical testing.

He agreed to provide a blood sample.

During questioning, White reportedly acknowledged that the straw belonged to him.

He claimed he used it to take medications orally but could not remember which medications.

The supplied complaint does not identify the residue or provide laboratory results from the blood sample.

Two Criminal Charges Filed

Prosecutors charged White with two offenses in Beltrami County District Court.

Count 1: Second-degree DWI involving an alleged Schedule I or II controlled substance – Gross misdemeanor.
Count 2: Driving after revocation – Misdemeanor.

The DWI charge falls under Minnesota Statute 169A.20 and Minnesota Statute 169A.25.

That charge carries a maximum possible penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

The driving-after-revocation charge falls under Minnesota Statute 171.24.

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

Beltrami County Court Case

The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 04-CR-26-2704.

The criminal complaint lists an order of detention.

Although the DWI charge alleges a prohibited controlled substance in White’s system, the supplied complaint does not include confirmatory laboratory findings.

The allegations have not been proven in court. White is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Additional public court information can be found through Minnesota Court Records Online.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.

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