BEMIDJI, MN – (trfnews.i234.me) – A 21-year-old Bemidji man faces a felony theft charge after allegedly stealing his mother’s prescription morphine.
Elston Lane Black, 21, of Bemidji, is accused of repeatedly taking medication his mother needed for a serious breathing condition.
According to a Beltrami County criminal complaint, Black allegedly admitted breaking into a locked medication box to obtain the morphine.
The case involves a vulnerable adult who depends on the medication to relieve severe breathing distress.
Investigation Begins Over Missing Prescription Medication
According to court documents, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report involving possible financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
Investigators reviewed medical information provided by the alleged victim’s doctor.
The doctor reported that the woman suffers from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as COPD.
Her condition requires supplemental oxygen and severely limits her ability to walk.
The doctor prescribed Roxanol, a concentrated liquid morphine medication, to relieve severe breathing distress known as air hunger.
The complaint states the woman began noticing unusual reductions in her medication supply around March 2026.
She suspected her son, Black, was taking the medication without permission.
After confronting him, she reportedly secured the medication inside a locked box.
Prescription Refills Raise Concerns
On October 22, 2026, the woman contacted her doctor requesting another morphine refill.
The doctor noticed that her prescription had been filled only nine days earlier.
According to the complaint, the woman reported using approximately two or three doses daily.
At that rate, the doctor believed the prescription should have lasted approximately 40 days.
However, the previous three prescriptions reportedly required refills after approximately two weeks.
The woman told medical staff she believed Black had found a way to open the locked medication box.
Concerned about the missing medication, the doctor declined another refill until she obtained a new lockbox.
Suspect Allegedly Admits Breaking Into Lockbox
On November 9, 2026, a Beltrami County investigator visited the woman’s residence.
The investigator spoke privately with Black and explained that he was not required to answer questions.
According to the complaint, Black acknowledged knowing why law enforcement had arrived.
He then allegedly admitted taking his mother’s morphine.
Black reportedly told investigators that the medication helped him sleep.
He also allegedly admitted breaking into the lockbox to obtain the prescription medication.
Investigators reported that Black understood his mother needed morphine to ease her breathing difficulties.
He also reportedly acknowledged that taking the medication prevented her from receiving the relief she needed.
Felony Theft Charge Carries Up to 10 Years
Following the interview, investigators arrested Black and transported him to the Beltrami County Jail.
Prosecutors charged him with felony theft under Minnesota Statute 609.52.
Morphine is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.
The charge carries a maximum possible penalty of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both.
The complaint identifies the alleged offense period as March 1 through November 4, 2026.
The case is filed in Beltrami County District Court under 04-CR-26-2821.
Additional court information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
All allegations are based on the criminal complaint. Black is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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