Bemidji Woman Charged After Meth, DWI Stop

Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) Tara Deann East, 41, of Bemidji, is charged after a traffic stop.

Prosecutors filed the case in Beltrami County District Court on February 9, 2026.

The stop happened in Bemidji on February 8, 2026, at about 4:27 p.m.

Traffic Stop

A Bemidji police officer stopped East’s vehicle after seeing an item hanging from the mirror.

The complaint says the officer saw signs of impairment during the contact.

Police noted fast speech and unusual blinking.

The report also mentions a “thousand-yard stare.”

The officer also reported slow pupil reaction to light.

Police wrote that East had “heat bumps” on her tongue.

Alleged Drug Evidence

The complaint says East told police she smoked meth earlier that morning.

Police also allege she handed over a container with crystal-like rocks.

Officers believed the substance was methamphetamine.

A field test showed a presumptive positive result, according to the filing.

Police reported the substance weighed about 13.91 grams on a non-certified scale.

Testing and DWI Allegation

East was taken to a hospital for sample collection, the complaint states.

Police obtained a warrant for blood or urine testing.

The filing says East chose to provide a blood sample.

The sample was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis.

Charges and Bail

East is charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession.

She is also charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree DWI.

Judge Annie P. Claesson-Huseby set bail at $300 cash with conditions.

The order requires her to remain law-abiding and attend all hearings.

What Happens Next

The BCA test results may be used as evidence in court.

Court dates and outcomes can change after the first appearance.

A criminal complaint contains allegations, not proof.

A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Learn More

• Minn. Stat. § 152.025 (fifth-degree drug possession)
• Minn. Stat. § 169A.20 (DWI law)
• Minnesota Judicial Branch (court information)

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.