Dunseath woman pleads not guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to give birth in Grand Forks County – Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS. When a Dunseath woman was arraigned in Grand Forks County District Court on Monday, Dec. 9, she pleaded not guilty to two felony counts related to the nearly 200 grams of fentanyl allegedly found inside

the vehicle she was driving on October 25.

Darla Rae Belgard, 37, is charged with Class A felony possession of at least 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to deliver and Class C felony possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Class A felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

According to court documents, Bellegarde and four others were arrested after law enforcement tracked down a cellphone belonging to Olivia Raine Patneau. Patno is believed to have traveled to Detroit, Michigan to obtain fentanyl, which she then transported back to the Turtle Mountain Preserve to sell, the documents said.

The officer located the vehicle traveling on US 2 in an area believed to be Patno. Since the speed of the car exceeded the speed limit, he initiated a traffic stop.

He reported the odor of marijuana and conducted a probable cause check in the vehicle. The alleged findings included a 90.31 gram bag of fentanyl, a 104.72 gram bag of fentanyl, an additional eight fentanyl pills, 15.5 Suboxone pills and drug paraphernalia.

During a contested preliminary hearing Monday, Belgard’s attorney argued that Belgard was unaware of the large amount of fentanyl being carried in the vehicle. She said because both bags were found on the backs of the car’s seats, Belgard was likely out of sight. drugs in general.

At the scene that day, Bellegarde allegedly told law enforcement that Pato asked to be picked up in Fargo; she didn’t know about drugs.

Judge John Thelen, after hearing testimony Monday from the arresting officer and arguments from the state and defense, ruled there was probable cause to proceed.

Bellegarde was arraigned and pleaded not guilty. A bail reduction was requested but denied. She remains in custody and her next hearing, a final court hearing, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on March 6.

Preliminary hearings for Belgarde’s four co-defendants were also set for Monday; their hearing continued until 1:30 p.m. on January 22.