Bemidji Man Charged With Drug DWI, Meth Possession

Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces three charges following a July 8 traffic stop in Beltrami County.

Brandon Scott Winger, 41, is charged in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District Court.

The charges include third-degree DWI involving a controlled substance. He also faces fifth-degree drug possession and driving after revocation.

All charges remain allegations. Winger is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest

According to the criminal complaint, a deputy checked a vehicle’s license plate on July 8.

The deputy believed Winger was driving and stopped the vehicle at a Circle K.

Authorities confirmed Winger was behind the wheel. The complaint says his Minnesota driver’s license was revoked.

Winger reportedly said he believed the license issue had been resolved.

The deputy reported seeing possible signs of impairment. Those signs included glassy eyes and unusual facial features.

Winger agreed to complete field sobriety tests. Some tests were limited because of reported health concerns.

The complaint states that further signs of impairment appeared during testing.

Brandon Scott Winger

Winger was arrested and taken to the Beltrami County Jail.

During booking, authorities allegedly found a small yellow bag on his person.

The bag reportedly contained about one-half gram of a white crystal substance.

A field test indicated the substance was methamphetamine, according to the complaint.

A judge later approved a warrant for a blood or urine sample.

The complaint says Winger provided a urine sample at the jail.

Authorities sent the sample and suspected drugs to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.

More information about laboratory services is available through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The DWI charge is a gross misdemeanor. It carries up to 364 days in jail.

It also carries a possible $3,000 fine.

The fifth-degree drug charge carries the same maximum penalties.

Driving after revocation is a misdemeanor. It carries up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The complaint lists one prior fourth-degree DWI conviction as an aggravating factor.

Minnesota criminal statutes can be reviewed through the Minnesota Legislature’s Revisor of Statutes.

No conviction has been entered in this case.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.