Bemidji Man Charged in 2nd-Degree DWI Case

Bemidji, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man now faces a gross misdemeanor DWI charge in Beltrami County after a late-night traffic stop, according to a criminal complaint.

Cole Lee Sobolik, 34, was charged with second-degree DWI. The charge says he drove with an alcohol concentration above 0.08 within two hours. Court records say the incident happened on March 21, 2026.

The complaint says a deputy saw a truck sitting on Adams Avenue with its headlights on. No other traffic was nearby. The truck then entered a roundabout and sped up quickly, according to the filing.

The deputy followed the truck and also saw a license plate light problem. The stop happened after the truck pulled into a residence on Adams Avenue SW in Bemidji.

What the Complaint Says

According to the complaint, Sobolik was identified as the driver. The deputy reported a strong odor of alcohol from the vehicle. The complaint also says Sobolik had red, watery eyes.

The filing says Sobolik admitted he had been drinking beer. He then agreed to field sobriety testing. The complaint says he showed signs of impairment during those tests.

A Bemidji police officer later gave a preliminary breath test, according to the complaint. That test showed a reported 0.168 alcohol concentration. After the arrest, a later breath test at the jail showed 0.17, the complaint says.

Open Bottles and Prior Record

The complaint says deputies found two open Smirnoff vodka bottles in the front passenger area. The bottles contained liquid believed to be vodka. The vehicle was then secured.

Authorities also said Sobolik has a prior DWI conviction from North Dakota. Court records listed that conviction as entered on August 12, 2020. The underlying offense date was March 12, 2020.

That prior conviction is one reason the new case was charged at a higher level. The current case lists two aggravating factors. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Case Status

The case was filed in Minnesota District Court in Beltrami County. The charge cites Minnesota Statute 169A.20 and related provisions.

Readers can also find county information through Beltrami County. A criminal charge is only an allegation. The case will now move through the court process.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.