Beltrami County ( trfnews.i234.me ) — Teen Facing DWI Charge After Bemidji Traffic Stop
A 19-year-old man from Onamia, Minnesota, is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after a traffic stop in Bemidji led to signs of drug impairment. According to a criminal complaint filed in Beltrami County District Court, Storm Martin Cash was charged with driving while impaired by a combination of substances following his arrest on September 19, 2025.
According to the Bemidji Police Department, the incident occurred around 8:47 p.m. near 18th Street and Park Avenue Northwest. An officer stopped Cash’s vehicle after noticing a non-functioning third brake light and an air freshener hanging from the rearview mirror — both equipment violations under Minnesota law.
When the officer approached, Cash appeared nervous and displayed rapid speech and glassy eyes. His leg was reportedly bouncing uncontrollably. When asked about drug use, Cash claimed he had last taken Percocet four to six months earlier and denied recent substance use. However, he admitted to using marijuana earlier that morning.
After failing field sobriety tests, Cash took a preliminary breath test that showed a 0.000 alcohol concentration. Officers suspected drug impairment and took Cash to Sanford Bemidji Medical Center for testing. A judge approved a warrant for a blood sample, which was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) for analysis.
Prior Offenses and Aggravating Factors
Court records show Cash has multiple prior cases in Minnesota, including:
- Felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle (2022)
- Two felony fifth-degree assault convictions (2021)
- Pending misdemeanor fourth-degree DWI and underage drinking case from earlier this year
- Pending gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI case from September 2025
Prosecutors noted two or more aggravating factors in this case, including a prior license revocation related to DWI on August 12, 2025, and recent DWI charges still pending in Beltrami County.
Possible Penalties
Under Minnesota Statute §169A.20, a gross misdemeanor DWI may result in up to 364 days in jail and/or a $3,000 fine. The case remains under review in Beltrami County District Court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
