BURNETT COUNTY — Multiple felony charges have been filed against Randy Bedell for making threats to law enforcement officers during an incident that occurred on March 18, 2022.
Burnett County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched at around 7p, on March 18, 2022, regarding an intoxicated man who had locked his keys in his vehicle in the area of Pete Nelson Road and Gile Road. The man was reported to be throwing empty beer cans out into the road.
Deputies arrived on the scene and located a vehicle and the man, who was identified as Randy Bedell. There were also two dogs inside the vehicle. The criminal complaint filed against Bedell states that the Deputies observed empty alcohol cans and an empty whiskey bottle lying in the roadway. The Deputies could smell the odor of intoxicants coming from Bedell, and also noticed that Bedell’s speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet.
When asked if he had any prior convictions for operating while intoxicated, Bedell stated that he had one where “they said I killed somebody”, and went on to state that he was on probation in the State of Minnesota for that conviction. Online MN court records show that in 2018, Bedell was convicted in Chisago County, MN, of Gross Misdemeanor Criminal Vehicular Homicide or Operation - Driver Who Causes Accident Leaves Scene. Associated charges for operating under the influence of alcohol were dismissed.
Bedell told the Deputies that he had been sitting in that location for a “good hour”, and when asked how much alcohol he had consumed, he said “not enough”, and then later said “too much”. Bedell refused to do field sobriety testing or submit a preliminary breath sample. Bedell was taken into custody, and according to the criminal complaint filed against him, his behavior escalated.
The criminal complaint states that Bedell was kicking the squad car windows from inside the squad car, banging his head against the windows, and shouting repeated ethnic and homophobic slurs. Bedell also allegedly told the Deputies repeatedly that he knew their faces, and that once he got out of the handcuffs he would “take care of” their families. He then raised his hands and moved his fingers into what appeared to be an imitation of a handgun gesture and pointed them at the Deputies.
Charges filed against Bedell include 2 counts of Class H Felony Threat to a Law Enforcement Officer, 2 counts of Class H Felony Threat to a Family Member of a Law Enforcement Officer, and 1 count of Misdemeanor Obstructing, non-criminal Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense, non-criminal Operate Without Valid License 1st Violation, and Non-Criminal Non-Registration of Vehicle - Auto <10,000 lbs.
Following his arrest, Bedell appeared for a bail bond hearing in Burnett County Circuit Court, and the Hon. Melissia Mogen ordered a $500 cash bond with conditions that he maintains absolute sobriety. Bedell’s bond was later posted and at a recent hearing, he waived extradition to the State of Minnesota on an arrest warrant. Bedell is scheduled to appear again in May 2022 regarding the charges filed against him in Burnett County.
Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Last Update: Apr 25, 2022 12:19 pm CDT
