Bemidji Man Charged After .18 Breath Test

Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces a gross misdemeanor DWI charge following a June traffic stop. George Micheal Sjolsvold, 44, was charged in Beltrami County District Court. The charge alleges he drove with an alcohol concentration of at least .08. The case remains pending. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Traffic Stop In Bemidji

According to the complaint, the stop happened around 9:19 p.m. on June 12. A deputy was patrolling Paul Bunyan Drive near Irvine Avenue. The deputy reported seeing Sjolsvold driving a light-colored Oldsmobile SUV. The complaint states Sjolsvold was not wearing a seat belt. The deputy then stopped the SUV and spoke with Sjolsvold. Authorities reported a strong alcohol odor coming from the vehicle.

Complaint Lists Test Results

The complaint alleges Sjolsvold had slurred speech and watery, red eyes. It also described his behavior as slow and tired. Sjolsvold reportedly admitted drinking alcohol before the traffic stop. Authorities then asked him to complete field sobriety tests. The complaint alleges he did not complete those tests successfully. A preliminary breath test reportedly produced an alcohol reading of .17. Sjolsvold was arrested and taken to the Beltrami County Jail. He later agreed to an official breath test at the jail. That test allegedly showed an alcohol concentration of .18.

Gross Misdemeanor Charge

The complaint cites a prior fourth-degree DWI conviction from 2007. Prosecutors allege that the record created an aggravating factor in the new case. The current charge carries up to 364 days in jail. It also carries a possible fine of up to $3,000. Readers can review Minnesota’s DWI laws through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Public court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Sjolsvold is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News. Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.