Sioux Center, Iowa — A Yuma, Arizona man has been arrested on a felony OWI charge after a traffic stop near Sioux Center.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Sioux County Clerk of Court’s Office by the county sheriff’s Office, 37-year-old Michael Walker of Yuma, Arizona is accused of driving drunk. He was arrested on Sunday.
In his statement, the deputy says the vehicle was stopped under suspicion of a traffic violation. The officer noticed bloodshot, watery eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage. He says Walker had slurred speech and “highly variable” emotions. He says Walker refused all tests.
Iowa’s implied consent law means that any person who operates a motor vehicle in the state agrees to have a blood, breath and/or urine test performed to determine alcohol level or presence of drugs, whenever a peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person is operating under the influence. If they refuse, the refusal could be used as evidence against them at trial.
Since he had been convicted on two earlier occasions, the OWI charge was raised to a class D felony. If convicted, Walker could face up to five years in prison.
He faces a preliminary hearing on the charge on Monday.
Walker was booked into the Sioux County Jail in Orange City, and was released on the next day after posting a $3000 bond.
