Bemidji Man Charged After Threats, 14 Guns Seized

BELTRAMI COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces a felony charge after alleged threats involving a child custody dispute.

Chase Michael Oothoudt, 29, is charged with making terroristic threats with reckless disregard. The charge was filed in Beltrami County District Court.

The felony carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. It also allows a $10,000 fine or both.

Messages Reported to Law Enforcement

The case began on June 7, 2026, according to the criminal complaint. A woman contacted law enforcement at about 8:50 p.m.

She said Oothoudt had threatened her and her fiancé. The complaint identifies both alleged victims only by their initials.

Investigators said Oothoudt wanted to take his seven-year-old son from the home. The woman said she refused that request.

The complaint alleges Oothoudt then threatened to force his way inside. He also allegedly threatened anyone who tried to stop him.

Deputies reviewed text messages provided by the woman. One message allegedly said Oothoudt was coming to get his son.

Another message allegedly threatened to breach the door. Court records say later messages included threats against the woman’s fiancé.

Chase Michael Oothoudt

Video Cited in Criminal Complaint

The woman also gave deputies a Snapchat video, the complaint states. Prosecutors allege Oothoudt threatened to shoot her fiancé.

The video also included alleged threats against responding deputies. The complaint says the woman feared for her family’s safety.

Authorities later stopped Oothoudt near Highway 89 and Nature Road. He was arrested during what deputies described as a high-security stop.

Fourteen Firearms Seized

Deputies later searched Oothoudt’s Bemidji-area residence under a warrant. The complaint says several rifles were positioned near windows.

Investigators reported seizing 14 firearms. The weapons included rifles, shotguns, and pistols, according to the court filing.

The complaint also cites a 2017 conviction for possessing a pistol without a permit. It notes a 2015 impaired-driving conviction.

Oothoudt remains accused and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The court case number is 04-CR-26-1318.

Readers can review Minnesota’s terroristic threats law through the Minnesota Revisor’s Office.

Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.