IAN DEMSKY; The News Tribune
A Pierce County sheriff’s deputy has been suspended from duty after being arrested twice within two hours Saturday on suspicion of drunken driving.
In both cases, his blood-alcohol level was reported to be more than twice the legal limit.
Robert Glen Carpenter, 37, pleaded not guilty in Chelan County District Court on Monday.
Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor said Tuesday that he was launching an internal investigation into the South Hill patrol officer’s conduct.
“We will conduct a thorough investigation and the results will be made public,” he said. “I expect our people to be fully subject to the law, as are all citizens. We have a long history of holding our people accountable.”
A current phone listing for Carpenter was not available. He has been with the department since 1993 and has a clean record, department officials said.
According to Washington State Patrol reports, Carpenter was pulled over by state troopers on Highway 2 in Chelan County at 12:30 a.m. Saturday after being clocked going 95 mph past troopers conducting another traffic stop.
Outside his truck, Carpenter had a hard time maintaining his balance and smelled strongly of alcohol, trooper Albert Arrey wrote in his report. A tall can of Foster’s beer was found on the floor inside the truck, about 80 percent full.
At 1:54 a.m., the 200-pound deputy’s blood-alcohol level was 0.21, records show. It’s illegal to drive with a level of 0.08 or higher.
Carpenter also had his loaded .40-caliber Glock service pistol in a holster under his coat.
While sheriff’s officials said it’s legal to carry a firearm in Washington while drunk, Pastor said, “We do not require our people to carry weapons while off duty. I do not believe anyone should carry a weapon while intoxicated.”
Carpenter was released into the custody of his girlfriend, who came to pick up Carpenter’s truck and dog, according to the report.
State Patrol Lt. Mike Warren said troopers have discretion on DUI arrests whether to book suspects into jail or release them if someone can pick them up.
“He was not given any favors,” Warren said of Carpenter.
Reports don’t say how long after his 2 a.m. breath test Carpenter was released, but he was stopped again by a Chelan County deputy at 2:44 a.m. for speeding.
State Patrol Sgt. Art Nelson responded to the scene, and in his report said, “Based on my training and experience and with the knowledge that less than one hour before the stop Carpenter’s breath alcohol concentration was above 0.20 grams per 210 Liters of breath it would be impossible for it to have declined appreciably prior to his being stopped.”
Carpenter was booked into the Chelan County Jail and his truck was towed.
Instead of answering Nelson’s questions about whether Carpenter understood his rights, Carpenter just nodded his head, Nelson said.
“It was clearly obvious Carpenter was exercising his constitutional right to remain silent,” the sergeant wrote.
A new breath sample taken at 4:22 a.m. showed a reading of 0.168.
After the test, Carpenter said he was embarrassed and thanked Nelson for his professionalism, the report said.