Larchwood, Iowa — A Sioux Falls man faces what would be his fifth drunk driving charge in fewer than 20 years after an interaction with a Lyon County Deputy in a casino parking lot.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Monday, February 8, 2021, one of their deputies allegedly saw a driver, later identified as 44-year-old Brian Pockrandt of Sioux Falls park a vehicle in a handicapped parking spot at Grand Falls Casino near Larchwood. The deputy said no handicap placard was observed on the vehicle.
According to the deputy, Pockrandt told him he didn’t realize he had parked in a handicap zone and did not have a handicap placard.
The deputy says Pockrandt also did not have a valid driver’s license, was unable to provide any insurance for the vehicle, and stated that he had owned it for several months but had not transferred the registration. He was also unable to provide a bill of sale or title for the vehicle. According to the deputy, Pockrandt also admitted to drinking alcohol and failed a field sobriety test. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Lyon County Jail.
After obtaining a search warrant, a blood sample was then collected by Avera Hospital staff, which was to be sent to the Iowa DCI Laboratory for chemical testing, says the deputy.
Pockrandt was charged with failure to have a valid driver’s license, registration violations, failure to provide proof of financial liability, improper use of a handicapped parking space, and operating while intoxicated 3rd or subsequent offense. The OWI charge, since it would be a third or subsequent offense, is a class D felony.
The sheriff’s office tells us Pockrandt was transported to the Lyon County Jail. They say the Iowa State Patrol assisted in the investigation.
