Bemidji, Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) A Bemidji man is facing new DWI charges. Police say he refused a chemical test.
Court records name the defendant as Joseph William Folstrom, 44, of Bemidji.
What police allege
The charges stem from a traffic stop on February 25, 2026. The stop happened around 9:47 p.m., according to the complaint.
Police say a Ford F-150 was linked to a hit-and-run earlier that day. An officer later saw a similar truck on Jefferson Avenue, the complaint says.
The complaint says the driver did not stop right away. The truck went through a roundabout. It then turned into the Dollar General parking lot.
Police say Folstrom looked confused and sluggish. The complaint also notes watery eyes. The officer reported an odor of alcohol.
When asked about the earlier crash, Folstrom said the truck was involved, the complaint says. When asked if he hit another car, he said “maybe,” according to the filing.
The complaint says Folstrom refused to get out of the truck. Police also say he tried to drink from a vodka bottle. The officer stopped him, the complaint states.
Police say they found a methamphetamine pipe in his pocket. The complaint does not list a drug charge in this case.
Investigators say Folstrom refused a preliminary breath test. They also say he refused field sobriety tests.
At the police department, the complaint says he kept refusing. An officer read the Minnesota breath test advisory twice. Prosecutors say Folstrom still refused a breath sample.
Charges filed
Folstrom is charged with first-degree DWI for test refusal. That count is a felony.
He is also charged with driving after cancellation as “inimical to public safety.” That count is a gross misdemeanor.
The complaint lists a maximum of seven years in prison. It also lists a $14,000 fine for the felony count.
The license count lists up to 364 days in jail. It also lists a $3,000 fine.
Prior record listed
Court filings also list several prior convictions. They include DWI cases in 2009 and 2021, plus other offenses.
Case information and resources
The case is filed in Beltrami County District Court. The court file number is 04-CR-26-534.
Criminal charges are allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Readers can review the DWI statutes online at the Minnesota Revisor’s Office: 169A.20, 169A.24, and 171.24.
They can also follow court updates through the Minnesota Judicial Branch public access site: Minnesota Court Records.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
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