Frank Wakonabo, 32, of Bemidji, is charged in Beltrami County District Court with fifth-degree drug possession. He is also charged with third-degree DWI involving a Schedule I or II controlled substance.<\/p>\n
The case was filed under court file number 04-CR-26-975. The charges stem from an April 28, 2026, traffic stop in Bemidji.<\/p>\n
Traffic Stop In Bemidji<\/h2>\n
According to the court complaint, a Bemidji police officer stopped a gray sedan near 1st Street South and Paul Bunyan Drive South.<\/p>\n
The complaint says the stop began after the officer saw an alleged equipment violation involving loud exhaust.<\/p>\n
Wakonabo was identified as the driver. The complaint says he handed over a state ID instead of a driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n
Authorities said dispatch confirmed Wakonabo\u2019s license was revoked.<\/p>\n
Complaint Alleges Signs Of Impairment<\/h2>\n
The complaint says the officer reported signs of possible impairment during the stop.<\/p>\n
Those alleged signs included tremors, glassy eyes, and unusual speech.<\/p>\n
The complaint also states Wakonabo admitted he had smoked methamphetamine the day before the stop.<\/p>\n
Authorities said field sobriety tests showed indicators of impairment.<\/p>\n
Wakonabo was then arrested on suspicion of DWI.<\/p>\n
Substance Sent For Testing<\/h2>\n
During a vehicle search, officers reported finding a small baggie with a white crystalline substance.<\/p>\n
The complaint says the substance weighed about 8.73 grams.<\/p>\n
A field test was inconclusive for methamphetamine.<\/p>\n
Authorities said the substance was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.<\/p>\n
A blood sample was also collected after a search warrant was signed.<\/p>\n
The complaint does not list final lab results.<\/p>\n
Charges And Possible Penalties<\/h2>\n
The fifth-degree drug possession charge is a felony under Minnesota Statute 152.025<\/a>.<\/p>\n It carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n The third-degree DWI charge is a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169A.20<\/a> and Minnesota Statute 169A.26<\/a>.<\/p>\n It carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n The complaint also says Wakonabo has a prior impaired driving conviction within 10 years.<\/p>\n It also lists prior fifth-degree possession convictions.<\/p>\n A criminal complaint is not a conviction.<\/p>\n Wakonabo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n
![\"Bemidji](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bemidji-Man-Charged-In-Drug-DWI-Case-1-300x169.png\")