{"id":72273,"date":"2026-11-08T11:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-08T17:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/?p=72273"},"modified":"2026-11-07T08:22:43","modified_gmt":"2026-11-07T14:22:43","slug":"akeley-traffic-stop-leads-to-gun-drug-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/akeley-traffic-stop-leads-to-gun-drug-charges\/","title":{"rendered":"Akeley Traffic Stop Leads to Gun, Drug Charges"},"content":{"rendered":"

AKELEY, Minn.<\/strong> (trfnews.i234.me<\/a>) \u2013 A Cass Lake man faces two felony charges and a gross misdemeanor DWI refusal charge following a traffic stop south of Akeley.<\/p>\n

Derek Daniel Kingbird Jr., 42, of Cass Lake<\/strong>, is accused of illegally possessing a firearm and controlled substances.<\/p>\n

According to a criminal complaint filed in Hubbard County District Court, deputies discovered a Glock handgun and suspected drugs inside a Chevrolet Suburban.<\/p>\n

The incident occurred October 18, 2026, along State Highway 64.<\/p>\n

Deputies Stop SUV South of Akeley<\/h2>\n

At approximately 4:06 p.m., a Hubbard County deputy was patrolling Highway 64 south of Akeley.<\/p>\n

Investigators had received information about a white Chevrolet Suburban possibly connected to narcotics trafficking.<\/p>\n

Authorities also had information suggesting a firearm might be inside the vehicle.<\/p>\n

The deputy spotted the Suburban and used radar to measure its speed.<\/p>\n

According to the complaint, the SUV was traveling 62 mph in a posted 60-mph zone.<\/p>\n

The deputy initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Kingbird.<\/p>\n

Field Sobriety Tests Raise Concerns<\/h2>\n

While speaking with Kingbird, the deputy noticed that his skin appeared sweaty and clammy.<\/p>\n

Kingbird and the other occupants were asked to exit the vehicle.<\/p>\n

According to court documents, Kingbird then participated in several field sobriety tests.<\/p>\n

During a walking test, he reportedly raised his arms, started too early, and stopped during the exercise.<\/p>\n

During a one-leg stand test, he used his arms for balance and placed a foot on the ground.<\/p>\n

The deputy also reported observing eyelid tremors during another test.<\/p>\n

Kingbird estimated 30 seconds had passed when 42 seconds had elapsed.<\/p>\n

He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of impaired driving.<\/p>\n

\"Derek<\/a>
Derek Daniel Kingbird Jr.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Glock Handgun and Suspected Drugs Found<\/h2>\n

After the arrest, authorities searched the Chevrolet Suburban.<\/p>\n

According to the complaint, investigators discovered a black Glock handgun inside the vehicle.<\/p>\n

Deputies also recovered a black pouch containing a small plastic bag with packets of white powder.<\/p>\n

The powder and its packaging weighed approximately 0.9 grams<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The complaint does not identify the substance through laboratory testing.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors filed a felony controlled substance possession charge based on evidence described in the investigation.<\/p>\n

Driver Allegedly Refuses Chemical Testing<\/h2>\n

Kingbird was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids following his arrest.<\/p>\n

Investigators obtained a search warrant for a blood or urine sample.<\/p>\n

According to court documents, the deputy informed Kingbird about the warrant and requested a sample.<\/p>\n

Kingbird allegedly refused to provide a sample and denied using controlled substances.<\/p>\n

The refusal became the basis for an additional second-degree DWI charge.<\/p>\n

Previous Felony Convictions Cited<\/h2>\n

The complaint identifies several previous convictions involving Kingbird.<\/p>\n

Those include a second-degree riot conviction from August 8, 2014, in Cass County.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors cite that conviction as the basis for the firearm possession restriction.<\/p>\n

The complaint also references a felony controlled substance conviction from January 12, 2015.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Kingbird has a previous third-degree DWI conviction dated December 29, 2017.<\/p>\n

That earlier DWI is cited as a qualifying prior impaired-driving incident.<\/p>\n

Three Criminal Charges Filed<\/h2>\n

Kingbird faces three charges in Hubbard County District Court:<\/p>\n