Bemidji: Richard Johnson Faces Gross Misdemeanor DWI

Bemidji, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — Richard Johnson was booked into Beltrami County Jail on September 18, 2026.

The jail roster lists one gross misdemeanor DWI charge against Johnson.

The charge involves operating a motor vehicle with a Schedule I or II controlled substance present.

The charge can also involve a metabolite of a listed controlled substance.

The booking record lists case number 2026010733.

Gross Misdemeanor DWI Charge

The jail record cites Minnesota Statute 169A.20, subdivision 1(7).

The law covers driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle.

It applies when a person’s body contains certain Schedule I or II controlled substances.

The statute also covers metabolites of those controlled substances.

Listed cannabis and hemp-related substances are excluded from this specific provision.

Readers can review the full law through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.

The jail roster classifies Johnson’s charge as a gross misdemeanor.

Richard Johnson — Beltrami County Jail inmate image

Minnesota DWI penalties depend on the degree of the offense and other factors.

Those factors can include prior impaired-driving incidents and other aggravating circumstances.

The supplied booking record does not list those details.

The roster lists Johnson as five feet, five inches tall.

His listed weight is 145 pounds.

The record lists black hair and brown eyes.

The jail roster displays a bail or fine amount of $0.00.

No court date appears in the information provided.

The court branch is listed as District Court.

The booking record does not identify the controlled substance allegedly involved.

It also does not provide the circumstances surrounding the traffic stop or arrest.

The alleged offense location is not included in the supplied record.

Additional details may appear in a criminal complaint or later court filing.

Those records could identify the substance and circumstances behind the charge.

They could also provide upcoming hearing dates.

A jail booking does not establish guilt.

Johnson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Charges may also be amended or dismissed as a case moves through court.

Readers can check custody information through the Beltrami County Inmate Locator.

Facility information is available from the Beltrami County Adult Corrections Center.

TRF News will report significant developments when additional public records become available.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.