By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The Lewis County sheriff’s deputy arrested for drunk driving over the weekend had a blood alcohol reading of just over double the legal limit.
Deputy Christopher P. Fulton, 31, of Napavine, was off duty and in his own truck when he was pulled over for speeding early Saturday morning on Interstate 5 in Centralia, according to authorities.
The trooper who stopped him noticed the obvious odor of intoxicants on his breath, along with red watery eyes, according to the Washington State Patrol.
“She asked, and he admitted he had a few drinks that night,” Washington State Patrol Sgt. Doug Pardue said.
Fulton, a patrol deputy who has worked for the sheriff’s office since April 2008, has been placed on administrative leave from his job while the incident is being investigated.
It’s the second time in just four months a local sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for driving under the influence.
In early September, drug detective Jeffrey S. Humphrey was arrested by a trooper in Chehalis after he drove through an area closed for a serious collision investigation.
Like Humphrey, Fulton’s vehicle was impounded and after he was processed for DUI, he was taken home instead of spending the night in jail.
Pardue said on a first time DUI, it’s an officer’s discretion as to whether the individual gets booked or not, considering factors such as if they think the person is likely to show up for court.
Most are arrested and then released, he said, referring to cases involving the state patrol in Lewis County.
“Probably less than half get booked,” Pardue said,
Sheriff Steve Mansfield issued a statement yesterday morning, saying he was extremely embarrassed and disappointed, vowing to provide a full accounting to the public once his internal investigation is completed.
“This community depends on our deputies to protect them, keep them from harm, and uphold the law,” Mansfield stated. “Impaired drivers are one of the biggest threats to people in our community.”
Fulton appeared before a judge yesterday in Lewis County District Court in Chehalis, where a plea of not guilty was entered for him.
He was accompanied by Centralia defense attorney Don Blair.
Judge Michael Roewe agreed with the deputy prosecutor’s recommendation he be released on his personal recognizance, without bond or bail payment.
The judge also ordered Fulton not to possess or consume any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substances, or go into any taverns or bars.
Few details of what occurred just before 1 a.m. Saturday near Centralia’s Mellen Street interchange are available, as no probable cause statement from the trooper was filed yesterday.
Blair told the judge he would agree with whatever it contained, and Deputy Prosecutor Luke Stanton said after the court hearing he hadn’t received the report.
Pardue, the supervising sergeant that night who came to the scene, said the incident was not out of the ordinary.
According to Pardue and the citation, Fulton was southbound on Interstate 5 when the trooper contacted him for speeding near milepost 81.
He was traveling alone in his 2012 Toyota Tacoma and Trooper Melody Krenelka became aware of the possibility he was impaired.
Fulton agreed to the field sobriety tests and portable breath test, Pardue said, and based on those he was taken to the Lewis County Jail where one of two BAC machines are available in the west end of the county.
His blood alcohol content result is listed as .172. The legal limit of an alcohol concentration is .08.
And then he was transported to his residence, Pardue said.
Deputy Prosecutor Stanton indicated a special deputy prosecutor from Thurston County would be handling the case. Next, a date for a pre-trial hearing will be scheduled, according to Stanton.
Driving under the influence is gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and or a $5,000 fine in the criminal justice system.
Any sanctions or restrictions which could arise with the state Department of Licensing are separate. And for law enforcement officers, any disciplinary actions related to their job are the domain of their superiors and sometimes labor contracts.
In Humphrey’s case, Sheriff Mansfield within two months of the arrest announced he had imposed a two-week unpaid suspension and removed Humphrey from his position as a detective.
Humphrey was also subject to a last chance agreement that tied his continued employment directly to the conditions imposed by the court.
•••
For background, read “News brief: Lewis County deputy arrested for DUI” from Monday January 6, 2014, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Ericka says:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 8:25 pm
They say it’s left to the officer to decide if you spend the night in jail on your 1st DUI, yet the only ones that don’t spend the night in jail plus they even get a lift home are cops. We should all be treated the same.
NOT TRUE! I know that most aren’t booked into the jail on a DUI and also if it is late they will take you home. Just a couple weeks ago I had a friend get a DUI and he was not booked into the jail and he got a ride all the way to Winlock.
Being booked and released is pretty common.
Well, you’re missing part of the story.
First from the Chronicle:
Will Finn, the WSP public information officer, said the WSP only booked 38 percent of DUI offenders last year and officer’s use discretion, only booking offenders for felonies such as vehicular homicide or other criminal circumstances.
And second from LC Sirens:
Pardue said on a first time DUI, it’s an officer’s discretion as to whether the individual gets booked or not, considering factors such as if they think the person is likely to show up for court. Most are arrested and then released, he said, referring to cases involving the state patrol in Lewis County. “Probably less than half get booked,” Pardue said.
So, by any standards listed, he was and is being treated the same as any other DUI under the conditions presented. Had he been combative or caused an injury, I’m sure the WSP would have booked him into the jail.
They say it’s left to the officer to decide if you spend the night in jail on your 1st DUI, yet the only ones that don’t spend the night in jail plus they even get a lift home are cops. We should all be treated the same.
I Agree with what “Idot’s says” I think many of these comments come from criminasl, prior criminals or those that are Anti Law Enforcement. I’m not disputing their is probably some drama at the Sheriff’s Office but how would that be different from any other place of employment? To use the word “corrupt” is uncalled for in my opinion. I hear the rants about the fact the officer wasn’t booked into jail and how he’s now home on administrative leave. Firstly; if the officer is not being a problem what kind of sense would it make to put him into a place where he is probably one of the cops that put a lot of those people in there. Secondly; as far as the paid administrative leave; this is the protocol for this agency and being put on paid administrative leave is part of their contract. Many other companies have a similar protocol. Lastly; cops are not super human or above the law. They’re people just like the rest of you and PEOPLE make mistakes. Fulton will go through the legal system just the same as any other citizen. He’ll receive discipline through the court system then, if he does keep his job, he’ll be disciplined again by the administration.
Maybe nobody ever pursued asking about why building materials for the new jail disappeared on McCroskey’s watch. Maybe the answer’s are hiding under McCrosey’s deck?????? Explain that????
The topic is how constitutional free speech is threatened by a good old boys network that secretly controls both the local government and the weather, creating floods of both dihydrogen monoxide and illegal immigrants who want to take our guns and sell us meth.
SO STAY ON TOPIC PEOPLE
SO SAD says:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Why is it no one in this flipping county can ever stay on topic? You all look like fools!
That’s just not true. Why just yesterday I, oh a raccoon on the back porch, anyways, I was reading about the, Whoa, how did a butterfly come into the computer room?, DUI arrest when, Oopsie a facebook update just came in, sure looks like it’s raining again, Go Seahawks! What was the topic???
Thank you for answering that. I was too lazy to go back through the Chronicle to try and find it. A lot of this criticism for Sheriff Steve Mansfield originates with an attorney who sold his soul to the devil* and is not happy that he does not control the sheriff. Remember Michael Golden? He was that attorney’s man because Golden did his bidding. Do you really think you want that man controlling your next sheriff? What do you think law enforcement will be like with a Michael Golden clone for sheriff?
*I know, saying just one attorney sold his soul to the devil kind of ignores the rest.
once again it boils down to If the boss (mansfield ) is foul how can we expect the men under him to be any different.
Why is it no one in this flipping county can ever stay on topic? You all look like fools!
John C Kenefick says:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 9:33 am
I left says:
Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 8:56 pm
Incredible, you actually think John McCroskey “groomed” Steve Mansfield?
Uhh, how was it Mc Croskey never filled out his last term and Mansfield was appointed? Explain that.
Boy I just love it when I know the answer!
From the Chronicle Posted: Thursday, January 27, 2005 12:00 am
Sharyn L. Decker of The Chronicle
Lewis County sheriff’s Lt. Steve Mansfield will be sworn in at noon on Monday, after county commissioners on Wednesday decided to appoint the 20-year-veteran of the department as sheriff.
Mansfield beat out two co-workers for the appointment, which was necessitated by Lewis County Sheriff John McCroskey retiring from law enforcement in the middle of his four-year term to take a job in the private sector.
Mansfield was not McCroskey’s choice; the undersheriff, Gordon Spanski was.
Years ago my brother was in cahoots with a Chehalis PD officer to perpetuate a felony, I won’t go into details and also the statute of limitations has expired. My point is that cops are human beings and subject to the same flaws as the rest of us and should be held to the same standards of justice. I think it’s shameful that Fulton would plead not guilty and drag his very human flaws through a court of law. He would have earned my respect if he had plead guilty and moved on.
Emily whines:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 4:09 am
“John C Kenefick,
Do you vote? If not, STFU!”
Yes, I do vote so Emily, GoFU
meh:
As a citizen of these United States, it is my right to complain, praise, or comment on anything on the internet.
We all have the right to speak our mind, so telling you to “STFU” is my right.
Just because my opinion is different then yours does not give you the right to tell me, not to tell you, to be quiet.
So, STFU, you are embarrassing yourself.
I left says:
Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 8:56 pm
Incredible, you actually think John McCroskey “groomed” Steve Mansfield?
Uhh, how was it Mc Croskey never filled out his last term and Mansfield was appointed? Explain that.
As long as voting is my right, it is my prerogative to vote if I want to. Even if I don’t vote, as a citizen of these United States, it is my right to complain, praise, or comment on any law or appointed official. We all have the right to speak our mind, so telling someone to “STFU” is an infringement of rights. Just because my opinion is different then yours does not give you the right to tell me to be quiet.
John C Kenefick,
Do you vote? If not, STFU! I believe there is corruption in the system and the way to change it is to do just that. Vote!
I agree with Fill. The standards were set by the current sheriff. Mansfield himself was the subject of an investigation only a short time ago when he engaged in illegal activity by hiding a runaway, lying to the police, hindering an investigation etc. And when anyone questioned him, they were terminated. He has failed to lead by example, so what would you expect from the troops he is leading. Don’t get me wrong, the deputy should be held accountable for his actions as any other citizen should, but he should also be held to a higher standard as he is in a position of trust and power, which clearly is more than he is capable of handling. It is time for a big change in the sheriff’s office. Promoting within has failed once again.
It is just so much fun to come on here after something happens and watch people provide proof of what idiots they actually are. Some of the statements I see make me wonder if people are that stupid or if it’s just a game to see who can make the most outlandish accusations. I would have to guess that many people who post on here have been arrested and are still embarrassed about it and want anyone else who is arrested to feel the same way. Thanks for the cheap entertainment dumbasses. Especially you Low can’t wait for the next story and pics of you getting thumped.
David Low says:
Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 6:11 pmThe Sheriffs Department Needs to be investigated by the FBI. The whole community knows about the corruption.
Dave,
Enlighten us. Without retelling yet again about your version of an encounter with Centralia PD, what exactly are these “corruption” accusations your making again about the lewis county sheriff? All I’m seeing is two deputies out of 30 got a DUI. They were found, arrested, cited and will go to trial. How does that translate into a corrupt department, let alone all of lewis county law system?
Incredible, you actually think John McCroskey “groomed” Steve Mansfield? Nothing could be farther from the truth. McCroskey banished Steve to emergency services after a falling out. Steve built on the positive publicity he was able to get in that position to beat out the favored replacement when McCroskey resigned. It was not even remotely what McCroskey planned or intended.
Steve Mansfield may have his little flaws, but he has been a good and caring sheriff. Those who say otherwise are either influenced by a certain attorney who likes to think he runs Lewis County, or don’t like the fact they got caught doing something illegal and the jail really isn’t a pleasant place to spend time.
Finally, you never plead guilty at your first appearance. That is when the judge really gets to throw the book at you, and they do. People tend to think I should plead guilty and hope for leniency for being honest. It doesn’t work that way. You have a constitutional right to a trial and you cannot be punished for exercising a right. When you plead guilty you give up all your rights. A not guilty plea is not a lie, it is just a statement that you want the prosecutor to prove every element of the case against you in court.
If Snaza is being groomed by Mansfield, like Mc Croskey groomed him, then Snaza is suspect. Do not vote for more failure.
If you plead guilty you accept the punishment, pleading not guilty even if you are allows you to mitigate with the judge what your sentence is or allows it to be thrown out if things are found to be out of order.
THERE WILL BE MORE OF THESE SHENANIGANS IF ROB SNAUZA IS ELECTED.
The Sheriffs Department Needs to be investigated by the FBI. The whole community knows about the corruption.
The people most to blame for this are the ones who keep electing insane Sheriff’s like Mansfield and his butt buddy Mc Croskey
This is obviously a sign of the culture that has been fostered by this administration with two deputies in 4 months being arrested for DUI. Mansfield can grand stand all he wants about how he will not tolerate this; however, he already set the tone when he did not account for his criminal acts in the past. You cannot punish the whole department by the actions of these two deputies, but it is not surprising that this attitude is present. The public still has no idea what happened with Commander Aust. Attitude reflects leadership Mr. Mansfield. Do Lewis County a favor and retire.
While it may not be best for the tax payers… It is almost always in a defendants best interest to plead not guilty to a crime regardless of if they did the deed or not. By pleading not guilty they have a chance of being offered a plea bargain or getting off on a technicality, etc.
Awesome system right?
“His blood alcohol content result is listed as .172. The legal limit of an alcohol concentration is .08. And then he was transported to his residence, Pardue said.”
So if you’re a cop, apparently getting pulled over for driving at over TWICE the legal limit doesn’t get you a night in the slammer…
What is the benefit of pleading not guilty when you are obviously drunk?