By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
A Virginia man was sentenced to 30 days in the Rowan County jail when he showed up intoxicated for a hearing on an earlier charge of driving while impaired.
Jeffrey Lee Reid, 48, of 284 Hopkins Road in Lynchburg, arrived late to his Thursday hearing in District Court and court personnel smelled alcohol on him.
District Court Judge Charlie Brown found Reid in contempt for showing up drunk and sentenced him to jail.
His alcohol content was checked during a break and he was found to be over the legal 0.08 driving limit.
Reid was originally arrested Dec. 16 for driving while impaired. Spencer Police Officer Brian M. Hill observed Reid drive into the parking lot of The Pantry at 300 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer.
The clerk told the officer Reid attempted to buy alcohol and he smelled of alcohol.
A department report said Reid had a strong odor of alcohol. Reid’s speech was slurred, he had bloodshot eyes and he was unsteady on his feet.
His alcohol content was tested twice, the first time he registered 0.15 and then a 0.13, both of which are nearly twice the legal 0.08 limit.
Reid’s hearing came after he requested an attorney.
Judge Brown asked the Virginia man if he needed an attorney. Reid indicated he could not afford one and requested a court- appointed attorney.
When Reid was taken into custody at the jail and searched, officers also found $14,000 in his pockets.
Jail officials said they did not feel comfortable taking care of that much money.
Brown called an afternoon hearing to determine what to do with Reid’s money and to discuss his claim of not having enough money for an attorney when in fact he did.
The judge held up an affidavit that Reid signed earlier claiming he had no money.
Brown told him it was a felony to present false information.
Salisbury Attorney Ryan Addison, who appeared on Reid’s behalf for the hearing, said his client was confused and considering his intoxicated state, did not understand what he was signing.
Brown rescinded the affidavit with Reid’s assurance that he would get a lawyer for his next hearing on Feb. 26.
Addison said he would place Reid’s money in trust and return it upon Reid’s release from jail.
Also during the hearing, Brown asked Reid why he was late. He said he had traveled three hours from Lynchburg in a rental car. When the judge asked where the rental car was, Reid answered with slightly slurred speech that he wasn’t sure. He just knew it was in a church parking lot about four blocks away. Addison said he would find the car and see that it was returned to the rental company.
Brown also removed the order for arrest he’d issued when Reid did not appear in court when his name was initially called.
The judge told Reid his 30 days will end before he has to appear back in court.
“You have to come back then,” Brown said.