According to a criminal complaint filed in Beltrami County District Court, Verna Leigh Fairbanks, born February 28, 1999, is charged with five counts connected to an incident reported on July 9, 2026.<\/p>\n
Officials Respond to Reported Disturbance<\/h2>\n
The complaint states deputies were called around 4:18 p.m. to 3311 Windy Hills Lane SW in Bemidji.<\/p>\n
Authorities received a report of a woman allegedly assaulting people and attempting to take a vehicle that did not belong to her.<\/p>\n
Investigators learned Fairbanks had walked into a nearby field. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots from the area.<\/p>\n
Firearm Reported Stolen<\/h2>\n
The complaint states that a firearm was taken from a vehicle on Carr Lake Road.<\/p>\n
The firearm owner told investigators he had placed a Ruger LCP .380 pistol inside his vehicle while working outside.<\/p>\n
The owner later discovered the firearm was missing. He also noticed items out of place near his vehicle.<\/p>\n
The complaint states that witnesses had seen a woman riding a red bicycle near the area earlier that afternoon.<\/p>\n
Attempted Vehicle Theft Alleged<\/h2>\n
Investigators also spoke with two people identified in court documents by initials.<\/p>\n
The complaint states Fairbanks allegedly attempted to take their pickup truck.<\/p>\n
The individuals reported that they stopped the attempt and were assaulted during the incident.<\/p>\n
![\"Verna](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/FairbanksVerna.png\")
Verna Leigh Fairbanks booking photo<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\nCharges Filed in Beltrami County Court<\/h2>\n
Fairbanks faces a felony charge for allegedly possessing a firearm while prohibited because of a prior conviction for a crime of violence.<\/p>\n
She also faces felony charges for theft of a firearm and attempted theft of a motor vehicle.<\/p>\n
Two misdemeanor fifth-degree assault charges were also filed.<\/p>\n
The firearm possession charge carries a possible maximum penalty of 15 years in prison or a $35,000 fine.<\/p>\n
The theft charge carries a possible maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.<\/p>\n
Prior Convictions Listed<\/h2>\n
The complaint lists several previous convictions in Beltrami County involving theft, robbery, assault, fleeing police, stalking, and other offenses.<\/p>\n
Court records show a felony simple robbery conviction entered in March 2026.<\/p>\n
The complaint also lists a prior theft conviction and a prior motor vehicle theft conviction.<\/p>\n
Fairbanks was taken into custody after being located in a wooded area, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n
The complaint states she directed investigators to the location of the firearm and admitted to possessing and firing it.<\/p>\n
All charges are allegations, and Fairbanks is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n
More information about Minnesota court records is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n