Fertile Stop Leads To Interlock Charge
Fertile, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — A Thief River Falls woman is facing a gross misdemeanor charge after a traffic stop near Fertile-Beltrami School.
According to a Polk County District Court complaint, Rebecca Lynne Beito, 43, is charged with driving a motor vehicle without a required ignition interlock device.
The charge was filed in Polk County District Court under court file number 60-CR-26-331.
School Zone Stop Reported
The complaint says the incident happened on January 30, 2026, at about 3:27 p.m.
A Polk County deputy was conducting a school patrol near Fertile-Beltrami School in Fertile.
The complaint says a black 2022 BMW X2 was seen traveling 25 mph in a 15 mph school zone.
Children were present at the time, according to the court filing.
The deputy followed the vehicle out of the school zone and made a traffic stop.
The driver was identified as Rebecca Lynne Beito of Thief River Falls.
Ignition Interlock Allegation
Court documents say Beito’s driver’s license showed an ignition interlock restriction.
Under Minnesota Statute 171.09, some drivers may face restrictions on their driving privileges.
The complaint says Beito was restricted under Minnesota Statute 171.306, which covers the ignition interlock device program.
The complaint says the BMW did not appear to have an ignition interlock device installed.
When asked about the device, Beito said she normally drove a Chevrolet Tahoe with the device installed.
She said that the vehicle was in the shop for repairs, according to the complaint.
Charge And Possible Penalty
Beito is charged with driving, operating, or controlling a vehicle without a required ignition interlock device.
The offense is listed as a gross misdemeanor.
The complaint states the maximum sentence is 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Court records can be reviewed through Minnesota Court Records Online.
The complaint also lists prior DWI-related convictions from 2008 and 2022.
A criminal complaint is not a conviction.
Beito is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
