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WORTHINGTON - A South Dakota man is facing several charges after allegedly driving while intoxicated (DWI) and assaulting a corrections officer during an intake pat search.
Gentry Lee Slaughter, 36, of Sioux Falls, S.D., is facing one count of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, third-degree DWI refusing to submit to a chemical test, fourth-degree DWI operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and an additional drug possession charge.
At approximately 10:06 p.m. Monday, the Nobles County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a van in the ditch on Interstate 90. The complainant reported that the man in the van appeared to be intoxicated.
When officers arrived at the scene, they observed a man sitting in the driver’s seat. He was later identified as Slaughter.
Slaughter allegedly told police that his friend had been driving, but had left after they went into the ditch. He was unable to state the direction in which his friend had gone.
According to court documents, when talking with Slaughter officials noticed his eyes were watery and bloodshot, his speech was slurred and there was an odor of alcohol.
Slaughter was then asked to step outside of the vehicle, at which point officers noticed that his balance was poor. Officers then began a field sobriety test and noticed him swaying from side to side and front to back while standing for the test. Slaughter was asked to provide a preliminary breath test, but he refused. Officers concluded that Slaughter was under the influence of alcohol and placed him under arrest.
According to court documents, officers stayed at the scene to wait for a tow truck, and observed the driver’s side door was open. Officials immediately noticed an odor of marijuana coming from the passenger compartment. When they conducted a search of the vehicle, they located a Marlboro Red cigarette box. Inside the box, they observed a green leafy substance that later tested positive as marijuana and weighed 3.4 grams.
At the Nobles County Jail, Slaughter made a statement to police and said he wouldn’t take any tests. He also waived his right to an attorney.
According to the criminal complaint, Slaughter was then booked into jail and underwent an intake pat search. During the search, Slaughter allegedly made several sexual comments to the corrections officer. When the officer asked him to stop, Slaughter allegedly continued to make sexual comments.
According to court documents, the corrections officer told Slaughter that the handcuffs were going to be removed, but he was to keep his hands placed on the wall. After the handcuffs were removed, Slaughter allegedly stepped back and grabbed the officer’s private area and began to laugh.
Slaughter was then immediately placed in a holding cell.
Slaughter has since posted bail and been released from jail with conditions to not intake any alcohol or controlled substances. He is also subject to random testing and may not enter any bars or liquor stores. He is scheduled to appear in Nobles County District Court later this month.
