Bemidji Man Charged in Ignition Interlock Case
Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — Michael Jason Throne faces two driving charges in Beltrami County District Court.
Prosecutors allege Throne drove while his license was revoked. They also allege his vehicle lacked a required ignition interlock device.
Court records identify the case as 04-CR-26-1310. The charges remain allegations. Throne is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Two Charges Filed
The complaint lists one gross misdemeanor and one misdemeanor.
Count one accuses Throne of operating a vehicle without a required ignition interlock device.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Count two alleges driving after revocation. That charge carries up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
Readers can review Minnesota’s license restriction law and revoked license law online.
The complaint says Throne held a restricted license tied to alcohol or controlled substance rules.
Under that restriction, the vehicle needed a certified and working interlock device.
An interlock device tests a driver’s breath before allowing a vehicle to start.
Traffic Stop Described
According to the complaint, law enforcement received information that Throne was driving a vehicle.
The vehicle reportedly had dark window tint. It also had a cracked windshield that blocked the driver’s view.
An officer later saw the vehicle near Washington Avenue Southeast and Roosevelt Road Southeast.
The officer stopped the vehicle because of the window tint, according to the filing.
Throne was sitting in the driver’s seat. He provided a paper copy of his revoked license.
The complaint says Throne admitted the vehicle lacked an ignition interlock device.
He also said he was required to use one. Throne was arrested and taken to the Beltrami County Jail.
Complaint Lists Different Dates
Court documents contain two different dates.
The charging counts list June 8, 2026, as the alleged offense date.
The probable cause section describes the traffic stop as occurring on June 5, 2026.
The complaint does not explain the difference.
The provided filing does not allege impaired driving during the stop.
No alcohol or drug test result appears in the complaint excerpt.
Case information may be available through the Minnesota Court Records Online system.
No court outcome was included in the complaint provided for this report.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.