Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) — Eric Robert Kuykendall, 27, of Bemidji, Minnesota, has been charged with gross misdemeanor offenses following a traffic stop on May 18, 2025. Kuykendall faces charges of second-degree DWI, refusal to submit to a breath test, and contributing to the need for child protection or services.
According to the criminal complaint, at approximately 9:30 PM, Officer Jason Sanderson of the Bemidji Police Department observed a vehicle driven by Kuykendall run a red light near 15th Street NW and Park Avenue. Upon stopping the vehicle, Officer Sanderson noted signs of alcohol impairment, including the smell of alcohol, watery and glossy eyes, and slurred speech.
Kuykendall initially refused to exit the vehicle and declined to perform field sobriety tests or provide a preliminary breath test. He was arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail, where he refused to submit to a breath test after being read the Minnesota Implied Consent Advisory.
A child under the age of 16 was present in the vehicle during the incident. As a result, a 72-hour protective hold was placed on the child.
Kuykendall has a prior non-felony DWI conviction from October 30, 2020. His criminal history also includes misdemeanor convictions for domestic assault, trespass, and fleeing a peace officer.
Did you know?
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Second-Degree DWI Refusal (Minnesota Statute 169A.25): Refusing to submit to a chemical test when one aggravating factor is present, such as a prior DWI conviction or having a child under 16 in the vehicle, constitutes a second-degree DWI offense, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.
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Contributing to the Need for Child Protection or Services (Minnesota Statute 260C.425): Encouraging, causing, or contributing to a child’s need for protection or services is a gross misdemeanor, carrying a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $3,000 fine.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.