BELTRAMI COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — A Ponsford man is charged with first-degree felony DWI after a late-night traffic stop in Bemidji. Court documents say Robert Eugene Butcher, 48, was driving while impaired and has a prior felony on his record.
Mugshot: Robert Eugene Butcher
According to the complaint, officers were on patrol around 12:22 a.m. on November 12. They saw a dark truck with lights on at a home on Lake Avenue Northeast. Police say the address is linked to drug activity.
The truck started to pull out, then went back into the driveway. Officers watched the area for a short time. The truck later left the driveway and drove north. When it neared another patrol unit, it reversed direction and pulled into a different driveway on Lake Avenue.
Police stopped the truck. The driver was identified as Butcher. Court records say he told officers he tried to avoid police because he did not have a valid license. He also said he had a warrant. Officers later confirmed his driving status was cancelled as a public safety risk.
During the stop, police said Butcher had red, glassy eyes. He was asked to do field sobriety tests. The complaint says he did not complete the tests well. After the tests, Butcher told officers he had used methamphetamine within the last 24 hours.
Police arrested Butcher and searched the truck. Officers reported finding drug paraphernalia. A search warrant was later obtained for a urine sample. Butcher agreed to provide the sample. Lab results from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were still pending at the time of the complaint.
Prosecutors charged Butcher with first-degree DWI based on a prior felony conviction. The felony DWI charge carries a possible sentence of up to seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine.
More on Minnesota DWI law is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Impaired driving safety information is also posted by the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.