Beltrami County (trfnews.i234.me) – A Bemidji woman has been charged in Beltrami County District Court after police say she admitted to sending threatening emails earlier this month.
According to court documents, Sylvia Marie West, 29, is charged with one felony count of terroristic threats. The complaint states the charge stems from an incident on August 3, 2025.
Authorities say a woman went to the Bemidji Police Department to report threats she received by email. The message, sent from an account believed to be connected to West, included explicit threats of violence. The woman told officers she feared for her safety.
Officers contacted West through a phone call and confirmed she was using the email address connected to the threats. Investigators say West admitted to sending the email and acknowledged that her statements were concerning. She later provided a copy of the email to law enforcement.
Police say West agreed to turn herself in and was booked into the Beltrami County Jail. She was later released to jail staff pending further proceedings.
If convicted, West faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both under Minnesota law.
This case highlights how digital communications are increasingly involved in criminal cases. According to the Minnesota Legislature, making threats of violence is a serious offense that can lead to felony charges.
West is scheduled to make her first court appearance in the Ninth Judicial District.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
