{"id":20727,"date":"2026-02-28T11:29:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T17:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/?p=20727"},"modified":"2026-02-25T08:56:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:56:08","slug":"bemidji-stop-leads-to-gun-fentanyl-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/bemidji-stop-leads-to-gun-fentanyl-charges\/","title":{"rendered":"Bemidji Stop Leads to Gun, Fentanyl Charges"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beltrami County<\/strong> (trfnews.i234.me)<\/a> \u2014 A Bemidji traffic stop ended in a short chase and new felony charges.<\/p>\n

Who is charged<\/h2>\n

Demarcus James Freeman<\/strong>, 34, of Minneapolis, is charged with felony second-degree drug possession.<\/p>\n

He is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.<\/p>\n

Traffic stop and foot chase<\/h2>\n

A deputy stopped a tan Suburban SUV on February 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

The deputy said the SUV had very dark window tint on Highway 71.<\/p>\n

The stop happened around 8:42 p.m., the complaint says.<\/p>\n

The stop took place at a convenience store on the 100 block of Convenience Lane SE in Bemidji.<\/p>\n

Freeman told the deputy he did not have a valid driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n

The deputy reported a strong smell of marijuana from the SUV.<\/p>\n

Freeman admitted he had marijuana and had been smoking it, the complaint says.<\/p>\n

The deputy saw a half-smoked blunt in the ashtray.<\/p>\n

Deputies asked Freeman and a passenger to exit the SUV.<\/p>\n

As Freeman stepped out, he ran south on foot, the complaint says.<\/p>\n

A responding officer helped chase him.<\/p>\n

Freeman was caught about 100 yards away, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n

\"Demarcus
Demarcus James Freeman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What deputies say they found<\/h2>\n

Deputies searched the SUV after the arrest, the complaint says.<\/p>\n

They reported finding a loaded Glock 19 handgun.<\/p>\n

The complaint says the gun was reported stolen in the Minneapolis area.<\/p>\n

Deputies also reported finding two baggies of suspected fentanyl.<\/p>\n

The complaint estimates the total weight at about 10 to 14 grams.<\/p>\n

Investigators say Freeman tried to throw the baggies into snow before he was caught.<\/p>\n

Passenger also faces allegation<\/h2>\n

The passenger was identified as Wendi Lynn Fairbanks.<\/p>\n

The complaint says Fairbanks had more than one gram of fentanyl.<\/p>\n

Other detail in the filing<\/h2>\n

The complaint notes a January 13, 2026 call in Elk River.<\/p>\n

It says police were dispatched to The Bank of Elk River on Freeport Avenue NW.<\/p>\n

The filing does not explain that event in detail.<\/p>\n

Court process and resources<\/h2>\n

The case was filed in Beltrami County District Court.<\/p>\n

Court records can be found through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Second-degree drug charges are covered under Minnesota Statute 152.022<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Firearm bans for felons are covered under Minnesota Statute 624.713<\/a>.<\/p>\n