Rock Rapids, Iowa — A Rock Rapids man has been arrested on felony OWI, child endangerment, and driving while revoked charges.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Lyon County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, 39-year-old Joseph Slade of Rock Rapids is accused of driving drunk with a child in the vehicle. He was arrested on Saturday.
In his statement, the deputy says Slade was observed by video camera and at least one witness to have been operating a vehicle. The deputy states that Slade had red, bloodshot, watery eyes, mumbled speech, a smell of an alcoholic beverage emitting from him, and unsteady balance. He says Slade did admit to having been drinking. He was unable to perform standard field sobriety tests due to his level of intoxication, according to the report. It says he consented to a preliminary breath test, which registered over the legal limit. There was also a juvenile in the vehicle at the time, says the deputy.
Slade was charged with third or subsequent offense operating while intoxicated, a class D felony. If convicted, Slade could face up to five years in prison. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of child endangerment and driving while license denied or revoked.
Slade faces a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, October 9th.
At last report, Slade remained in the Lyon County Jail in Rock Rapids in lieu of a $7000 signature bond.
