Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) – A Bemidji man is facing charges in Beltrami County after police say he refused a chemical test during a DWI stop.
According to a criminal complaint, Nathan Scott Brown, 28, was stopped by police around 2:40 a.m. on August 9, 2025. An officer first saw a black SUV speeding away from a gas station parking lot in Bemidji. The officer noted the vehicle had loud exhaust and had earlier observed three intoxicated men inside the store.
The SUV was followed onto Paul Bunyan Drive South, where it was reportedly swerving and crossing the center line. At one point, the vehicle nearly struck a median before stopping on Central Avenue.
Police say Brown, who was driving, showed signs of impairment, including slurred speech, watery eyes, and the smell of alcohol. He refused to complete field sobriety tests, telling the officer it “would be a setup.”
Brown was arrested and taken to the Beltrami County Jail. Once there, he allegedly became aggressive with staff, making threats and refusing to cooperate. Officers say he was read the Minnesota Implied Consent Advisory multiple times, but interrupted and mocked the process.
Although he claimed he wanted an attorney, Brown only used his phone call to complain about his arrest. He later threw his phone across the floor and continued to refuse testing. Police determined this was a refusal to submit to a breath test.
Court records show Brown has prior convictions for driving while impaired and underage drinking and driving. He is now charged with gross misdemeanor DWI test refusal, which carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.
The case is being reviewed in Beltrami County District Court.
For more on Minnesota DWI law, visit the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
