Find Sex Offenders in Beltrami County

Beltrami County sex offenders are registered and tracked through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's Predatory Offender Registry, with local coordination by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office. Located in north-central Minnesota, Beltrami County includes the city of Bemidji and the Red Lake Nation. The county seat is Bemidji, home to Bemidji State University. This page covers how to search for registered sex offenders in Beltrami County, what the risk levels mean, and how community notification works in this region.

Beltrami County Sheriff and Predatory Offender Registration

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office oversees predatory offender registration for the county. All registered sex offenders living in Beltrami County must comply with Minnesota Statute 243.166. That law requires offenders to report their current address to law enforcement and update it within five days of any change. Failure to register is a felony. The penalty can be up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The Sheriff coordinates with the Minnesota BCA and DOC to keep registration records accurate and current.

Beltrami County's geography is unique among Minnesota counties. It includes Bemidji, a mid-sized city with a university population, as well as large rural stretches and land within the Red Lake Nation. Tribal jurisdiction can affect how sex offender registration is handled in certain areas. The Sheriff works with tribal law enforcement where appropriate to ensure offenders living near or on tribal lands are properly tracked. The Bemidji Police Department also assists with monitoring within city limits.

Contact the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office at (218) 333-9111. Their website is at co.beltrami.mn.us/departments/sheriff.

Search for Sex Offenders in Beltrami County

The Minnesota Department of Corrections Public Registrant Search is the best starting point for finding Level 3 sex offenders in Beltrami County. Access it at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicregistrantsearch. The DOC can be reached at (651) 361-7340 or toll free (866) 396-9953. Search by name, city, or zip code. Try Bemidji and surrounding zip codes to get a full picture of who is registered in the area. The DOC updates this database within 48 hours after law enforcement authorizes a record change.

The BCA Predatory Offender Registry at por.state.mn.us is the statewide database used by law enforcement and accessible to the public for Level 3 records. Reach the BCA at (651) 793-7070 or toll free (888) 234-1248. The registry tracks all predatory offenders in Minnesota, including those in Beltrami County. Level 1 and Level 2 records are not public. The Bemidji Police Department at ci.bemidji.mn.us/police works within city limits and partners with the county Sheriff on offender monitoring.

The Bemidji Police Department page provides city-level law enforcement information relevant to Beltrami County's largest city: Bemidji Police Department.

The Bemidji Police Department works alongside the Beltrami County Sheriff on predatory offender monitoring within Bemidji city limits.

Community Notification and Notable Cases in Beltrami County

Level 3 sex offenders in Beltrami County trigger community notification under Minnesota Statute 244.052. When a high-risk offender moves into the county, the Sheriff's Office coordinates notification to residents, schools, and other organizations in the affected area. The DOC Community Notification page at mn.gov outlines the process statewide. The goal is to give the public enough information to take steps to protect themselves.

Beltrami County has been the site of significant federal sex crime prosecutions. The case of Brandon Bjerknes, a former assistant principal in the Bemidji area, drew attention to the region. He received a 300-month federal sentence for his crimes. Cases like this remind the public why it matters to stay informed about sex offender activity in local communities. High-profile cases sometimes prompt community discussion about school safety and local notification practices.

Bemidji State University's presence in the county also raises awareness around campus safety and sex offender proximity. Universities in Minnesota encourage students to use the state's public tools to check for nearby registered offenders. The same tools available to the general public can be used by students and campus residents.

Note: Red Lake Nation has its own tribal law enforcement with jurisdiction over certain areas. If you are researching offenders connected to tribal lands, contact tribal law enforcement directly in addition to using state tools.

Beltrami County Court Records for Sex Offenses

Criminal court records related to sex offenses in Beltrami County are on file at the Beltrami County District Court in Bemidji. These records include charge details, court dates, plea information, and sentencing orders. You can search them through the Minnesota Court Records Online system at mncourts.gov. Searching court records gives you information about criminal history that goes beyond what the sex offender registry contains. Both sources together give the most complete picture of an offender's background.

Additional Resources for Beltrami County

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is available to Beltrami County residents. Sign up at vinelink.com or call 1-877-664-8463. This free service sends you alerts when someone held in the county jail is released or transferred. It is useful for crime victims and for community members monitoring a specific offender's custody status.

The National Sex Offender Public Website at nsopw.gov lets you search registries across all 50 states. If an offender you are tracking has moved out of Beltrami County or out of Minnesota, this federal tool can help you find where they are now registered. The site is run by the U.S. Department of Justice and is free to use.

The Minnesota DOC Public Viewer at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer shows information about individuals currently under DOC supervision in the community. This includes people on supervised release who may be living in Beltrami County.

Nearby Counties

Beltrami County is bordered by a number of Minnesota counties. Check these neighboring counties if a sex offender you are looking for is not found in Beltrami County records.