East Grand Forks Man Accused of Using False Name

BELTRAMI COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — An East Grand Forks man faces two charges after a February traffic stop in Beltrami County.

David James Jones, 41, was charged in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District Court.

Jones faces one gross misdemeanor count of using a false name and birth date. He also faces a petty misdemeanor insurance charge.

The allegations appear in a criminal complaint filed in Beltrami County District Court. A complaint contains allegations that have not been proven in court.

Traffic Stop Led to Citation

The case began during a traffic stop on February 11, 2026.

A Minnesota State Patrol trooper stopped a vehicle near Division Street for expired registration tabs.

The driver allegedly gave the name and birth date of another real person. The complaint identifies that person as Nicholas James Jones.

The driver also said the vehicle did not have insurance at that time. A citation was issued for driving without insurance.

David James Jones

Identity Question Raised Months Later

Authorities received new information on May 20, 2026.

Nicholas James Jones contacted the Minnesota State Patrol about the citation.

He reportedly said David James Jones had driven the vehicle during the February stop. He also said he was working at that time.

Investigators then reviewed body-camera video from the traffic stop.

The complaint says investigators compared the driver’s tattoos with recent photographs of David James Jones.

They concluded Jones was the person shown driving the vehicle, according to the complaint.

Possible Penalties

The false identity charge is a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 171.22.

A conviction could bring up to 364 days in jail. It could also result in a fine of up to $3,000.

The insurance allegation falls under Minnesota Statute 169.797.

That petty misdemeanor carries a maximum fine of $300.

The complaint also lists earlier cases involving false names, fleeing, and escape convictions. One additional false-name case was listed as pending and dormant.

Jones is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.