{"id":17965,"date":"2026-02-10T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/?p=17965"},"modified":"2026-02-10T06:06:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T12:06:35","slug":"bemidji-woman-charged-after-meth-dwi-stop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/bemidji-woman-charged-after-meth-dwi-stop\/","title":{"rendered":"Bemidji Woman Charged After Meth, DWI Stop"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beltrami County<\/strong> (trfnews.i234.me<\/a>) Tara Deann East<\/strong>, 41, of Bemidji, is charged after a traffic stop.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors filed the case in Beltrami County District Court on February 9, 2026.<\/p>\n

The stop happened in Bemidji on February 8, 2026, at about 4:27 p.m.<\/p>\n

Traffic Stop<\/h2>\n

A Bemidji police officer stopped East\u2019s vehicle after seeing an item hanging from the mirror.<\/p>\n

The complaint says the officer saw signs of impairment during the contact.<\/p>\n

Police noted fast speech and unusual blinking.<\/p>\n

The report also mentions a \u201cthousand-yard stare.\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer also reported slow pupil reaction to light.<\/p>\n

Police wrote that East had \u201cheat bumps\u201d on her tongue.<\/p>\n

\"Tara
Tara Deann East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alleged Drug Evidence<\/h2>\n

The complaint says East told police she smoked meth earlier that morning.<\/p>\n

Police also allege she handed over a container with crystal-like rocks.<\/p>\n

Officers believed the substance was methamphetamine.<\/p>\n

A field test showed a presumptive positive result, according to the filing.<\/p>\n

Police reported the substance weighed about 13.91 grams on a non-certified scale.<\/p>\n

Testing and DWI Allegation<\/h2>\n

East was taken to a hospital for sample collection, the complaint states.<\/p>\n

Police obtained a warrant for blood or urine testing.<\/p>\n

The filing says East chose to provide a blood sample.<\/p>\n

The sample was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension<\/a> for analysis.<\/p>\n

Charges and Bail<\/h2>\n

East is charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession.<\/p>\n

She is also charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree DWI.<\/p>\n

Judge Annie P. Claesson-Huseby set bail at $300 cash with conditions.<\/p>\n

The order requires her to remain law-abiding and attend all hearings.<\/p>\n

What Happens Next<\/h2>\n

The BCA test results may be used as evidence in court.<\/p>\n

Court dates and outcomes can change after the first appearance.<\/p>\n

A criminal complaint contains allegations, not proof.<\/p>\n

A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.<\/p>\n

Learn More<\/h2>\n