GRAND FORKS COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — On January 6, a 56-year-old Drayton resident, Shawn Kenneth Bjerke, received a 10-year sentence, with 180 days to be served in custody, for multiple offenses related to an August incident involving law enforcement in Grand Forks County.
Charges and Plea
Bjerke pleaded guilty to the following charges:
- Class B felony: Methamphetamine possession with intent to deliver.
- Class C felonies:
- Drug paraphernalia possession.
- Reckless endangerment with extreme indifference.
- Fleeing a police officer.
- Criminal mischief causing intentional damage between $2,000 and $10,000.
- Class A misdemeanor: Driving under the influence of drugs.
A charge for Class A misdemeanor driving under suspension was dismissed.
Incident Details
On August 18, at 10:04 p.m., a Grand Forks police officer was notified of a pursuit entering Grand Forks from Traill County. The officer observed a vehicle disregarding stop signs and activated the patrol car’s overhead lights. The driver, identified as Bjerke, did not stop and drove toward the squad car, prompting the officer to evade. Bjerke continued to flee from additional officers with activated lights and sirens. The vehicle reached speeds of up to 50 mph on 24th Avenue South and 35 mph on Belmont Road, despite other vehicles being present. The front driver-side tire was on the rim and wobbling. Bjerke’s vehicle eventually collided with a sheriff’s office vehicle and struck a Grand Forks Police Department squad car head-on.
Evidence Collected
Law enforcement discovered four baggies containing a crystal-like substance inside the vehicle, totaling 46.2 grams, which tested positive for methamphetamine. An uncapped needle syringe filled with a liquid testing positive for para-methoxy butyryl fentanyl was found in the center console.
Sentencing
Bjerke was sentenced to 10 years, with the first 180 days to be served in custody. He received credit for time served since his August arrest, leaving 39 days remaining. Additionally, he will undergo three years of supervised probation and is required to complete the Adult Teen Challenge program as a condition of his probation.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me