Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) – A Bemidji man is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge in Beltrami County following a February traffic stop that police say revealed he was driving while impaired.
According to a criminal complaint, John Thomas Duffy, 29, was stopped by a Minnesota State Trooper in Bemidji on February 9, 2025. The vehicle he was driving was observed with a broken headlight and expired registration.
After the stop, the trooper reported that Duffy showed signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils. When asked, Duffy denied drinking but later admitted he had consumed alcohol just minutes before being pulled over.
Officers conducted a field sobriety test, which Duffy did not pass. A roadside preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol concentration of .094. Duffy was arrested and taken to the Beltrami County Jail, where a formal breath test measured his alcohol level at .09 — above the legal limit of .08 in Minnesota.
Court documents note that Duffy has prior convictions, including a misdemeanor DWI in 2016 and a felony conviction for terroristic threats. Because of his history and the circumstances, he now faces gross misdemeanor DWI charges.
If convicted, Duffy could face up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine under Minnesota law.
The case is pending in Beltrami County District Court.
For more on Minnesota impaired driving laws, visit the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
