BEMIDJI (trfnews.i234.me) A Bemidji man is facing a gross misdemeanor DWI charge after a traffic stop early on March 21, according to a criminal complaint filed in Beltrami County.
Brandon Lee Kurtz, 39, of Bemidji, is charged with operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more within two hours of driving. The complaint lists the charge under Minnesota Statute 169A.20.
What the Complaint Says
According to the complaint, an officer on patrol saw a silver sedan make a wide turn onto 3rd Street Northwest. The vehicle then stopped at an intersection and turned south without using a signal.
The complaint says the officer stopped the vehicle as it pulled into the parking lot at 510 Paul Bunyan Drive South.
When the officer spoke with Kurtz, the complaint says he had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech, and a tired look. Court records also say Kurtz admitted drinking earlier that night.
The complaint says Kurtz told the officer he had one rum and coke in the hour before the stop. He also said he had a few drinks during the night.
Authorities then requested field sobriety testing. According to the complaint, Kurtz did not perform those tests in a satisfactory way.
A preliminary breath test reportedly showed an alcohol concentration of .120. After Kurtz was taken to the Beltrami County Adult Corrections Center, a later breath test also reportedly showed a result of .12.
Prior Record Listed
The complaint says a review of Kurtz’s record showed prior cases in Washington state. Those records include a 2017 gross misdemeanor DWI conviction and a 2024 reckless driving conviction that was amended from a DUI-related charge.
Those prior cases may help explain why prosecutors filed the new case as a gross misdemeanor.
What Happens Next
The case was filed in Beltrami County District Court, part of Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District. The listed court file number is 04-CR-26-691.
A charge is only an accusation. Kurtz is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The complaint lists a maximum possible penalty of up to 364 days in jail, a fine of up to $3,000, or both, if convicted.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
