Former Pocatello firefighter could face 9 years in prison for DUI, possession charges
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POCATELLO — A man who was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated, then later found to have drugs and a gun, has been charged with multiple crimes.
Loyd Russell Sleight, 31, is charged with a felony for possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanors for DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed firearm while intoxicated, court records show.
An officer patrolling the area of North 19th Avenue and East Clarke Street stopped a car operated by a person the officer believed to be under the influence around 1:45 a.m. Aug. 18, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The car was traveling the wrong way down a one-way street.
A second officer, who responded to requests from the first for assistance, spoke with the driver, Sleight, upon arrival. That officer noted in police reports that Sleight was “extremely sweaty, slurring his words, smelled of alcohol.” Sleight stumbled as he exited his vehicle, reports add.
Officers administered a field sobriety test, which, according to the affidavit, he failed to complete “in a satisfactory manner.”
Sleight was placed under arrest and taken to the Pocatello Police Department for question.
At the department, officers asked Sleight if he would voluntarily provide a blood sample for testing.
He responded: “I plead the fifth,” police reports show.
While searching Sleight’s vehicle prior to it being impounded, officers found a substance that tested presumptive positive as cocaine and drug paraphernalia that is not described in police reports. Officers also found a Glock 19X behind the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
At the time of his arrest, Sleight was a First Class Firefighter with the city of Pocatello, hired in Oct. 2017. He is no longer employed by the city, as of Oct. 2, according to city spokeswoman Marlise Irby-Facer.
Though Sleight has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.
He is scheduled to appear in court for a jury trial before District Judge Javier Gabiola on Jan. 16.