Bemidji Stop Leads to 3 Charges for Cass Lake Man

Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Cass Lake man now faces three charges after a traffic stop in Bemidji, according to a criminal complaint filed in Beltrami County.

Court records say James Lee Roper Jr., 32, was charged with an ignition interlock violation, driving after cancellation, and possession of metal knuckles. The complaint says the stop happened on March 3, 2026.

Traffic Stop in Bemidji

According to the complaint, police stopped a white Dodge Charger after seeing illegal window tint. The vehicle had just left the car wash behind Domino’s Pizza in Bemidji.

The stop happened in the parking lot at 501 Paul Bunyan Drive NW. The complaint says James Lee Roper Jr. was identified as the driver.

Investigators said a tint meter showed about 17 percent light transmittance. Court records say Roper gave officers a temporary license with an ignition interlock restriction.

The complaint says the car did not have a working ignition interlock device. It also says Roper admitted he knew the device was required. He allegedly told police he was driving someone else’s vehicle.

Authorities also said a records check showed his license was canceled as inimical to public safety, often called IPS.

Charges Filed

The complaint says Roper was arrested at the scene. During a search, police allegedly found brass knuckles on him.

He was then taken to the Beltrami County Jail for booking. Prosecutors later filed three counts in the case.

The charges include driving a vehicle without a required ignition interlock device under Minnesota Statute 171.09 and the state’s ignition interlock law.

Roper also faces a gross misdemeanor charge of driving after cancellation under Minnesota Statute 171.24.

The third charge is misdemeanor possession of metal knuckles under Minnesota Statute 609.66.

What Happens Next

The case was filed in Beltrami County District Court. A complaint lays out the allegations that support the charges.

Those allegations have not been proven in court. Roper is presumed innocent unless and until a court finds him guilty.

The complaint did not list a DWI charge in this case. It focused on the license, ignition interlock, and weapons allegations tied to the traffic stop.

This case remains pending in court.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.

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