BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — OWI charges against a Brazil, Ind. law enforcement officer were dismissed Monday.
Assistant Police Chief Dennis Archer pleaded guilty to reckless driving and the OWI charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Archer was arrested by Indiana State Police last month with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.9.
According to Vigo County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rob Roberts who served as a special prosecutor in the case, Archer’s case was handled the same as similar cases in Vigo County.
Roberts explained that first time offenders who have a BAC of 0.8 or 0.9 are typically given the option to plead guilty to reckless driving instead of OWI. Both are Class C misdemeanors; however the reckless driving charge does not have the same potential for license suspension that comes with an alcohol related charged.
As part of the plea agreement, Archer received a 60-day suspended sentence and one year of probation. He will also be required to complete an alcohol and drug assessment and 40 hours of community service.
Previously, Brazil Mayor Brian Wyndham said Archer would not face disciplinary action from the City.
“I don’t think Assistant Chief Archer’s career should be judged by this one incident,” he said, noting that Archer is a 19 year veteran of the Brazil Police Department with a “stellar record.”
