Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man is facing DWI and child endangerment charges after a traffic stop in Beltrami County.
Daniel John LaDuke is charged in Beltrami County District Court with second-degree DWI.
He is also charged with child endangerment.
The case is filed in Minnesota’s 9th Judicial District under court file 04-CR-26-791.
The charges stem from an April 3, 2026, traffic stop near 30th Street Northwest in Bemidji.
Traffic Stop In Bemidji
According to the complaint, law enforcement stopped a vehicle at about 8:15 p.m.
The complaint says the vehicle had a loud exhaust issue.
The driver was identified as Daniel John LaDuke.
Authorities reported signs of alcohol impairment during the stop.
The complaint says LaDuke had slurred speech and watery eyes.
Authorities also reported an odor of alcohol.
LaDuke allegedly admitted drinking before driving, according to court documents.
An open bottle of vodka was found near the front passenger area.
Daniel John LaDuke
Child Reported Inside Vehicle
The complaint says LaDuke’s young child was also inside the vehicle.
The child is identified in court records by initials only.
Authorities later placed a 72-hour protective hold on the child.
Field sobriety testing was performed during the stop.
The complaint says nystagmus was present in LaDuke’s eyes.
Authorities also reported balance problems during sobriety tests.
A preliminary breath test showed an alcohol concentration of .164.
LaDuke was then placed under arrest, according to the complaint.
Breath Test Reported At .16
LaDuke was taken to the Beltrami County Jail.
There, authorities read him the Minnesota Implied Consent Advisory.
LaDuke agreed to take a breath test, according to court records.
The breath test was taken at 9:32 p.m.
The complaint says the test showed an alcohol concentration of .16.
The DWI charge is listed under Minnesota Statute 169A.20.
The complaint also references Minnesota Statute 169A.25.
The child endangerment charge is listed under Minnesota Statute 609.378.
Prior DWI Convictions Listed
The complaint lists prior non-felony DWI convictions from 2023.
It also lists prior felony theft and failure-to-appear convictions.
Each current charge is listed as a gross misdemeanor.
Each count carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail.
Each count also carries a possible $3,000 fine, or both.
The charges are only accusations at this stage.
LaDuke is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
More court information may be available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.