Bemidji Man Charged After Canceled-License Stop
BEMIDJI — (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces two charges following a May 26 traffic stop.
Darrell Wayne Cournoyer, 63, was charged in Beltrami County District Court.
The case was filed under court number 04-CR-26-1195.
Cournoyer faces a gross misdemeanor charge for driving after his license was canceled.
He also faces a misdemeanor charge for failing to provide proof of vehicle insurance.
Stop Began Over Window Decal
The complaint says the traffic stop happened around 1:54 p.m. on May 26.
A Minnesota State Patrol trooper was traveling near Anne Street and Irvine Avenue.
The trooper noticed a non-transparent decal on the vehicle’s rear driver-side window.
The trooper stopped the vehicle and spoke with Cournoyer, according to the complaint.
Authorities then checked Cournoyer’s driving status.
Records showed his license was canceled as inimical to public safety, the complaint states.
Complaint Lists Two Traffic Charges
The first charge falls under Minnesota Statute 171.24, subdivision 5.
Prosecutors allege Cournoyer knew, or had reason to know, about the license cancellation.
The gross misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail.
It also carries a possible fine of up to $3,000.
The second charge concerns proof of insurance.
It falls under Minnesota Statute 169.791.
The complaint says Cournoyer could not provide insurance proof during the traffic stop.
That misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail.
It also carries a possible fine of up to $1,000.
Both charges arose from the same traffic stop.
Charges Remain Allegations
A criminal complaint presents the prosecution’s account of the case.
It does not represent a finding of guilt.
Cournoyer is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The court filing also includes an order of detention.
The case will be handled within Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.
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