AUGUST 24, 2023:
A former Pierre Police officer arrested for a first offense Driving Under the Influence in March (March 24, 2023) was sentenced today (Aug. 24, 2023) in Hughes County Court.
Judge Tara Adamski denied Jeremiah Erickson’s request for a suspended imposition of sentence, but she did suspended 188 days of jail time providing Erickson successfully completes certain conditions. Among those requirements are paying roughly $550 in fines and court costs, being a law abiding citizen for one year and doing a chemical dependency evaluation.
Erickson’s attorney said his client was severely injured while serving as a police officer in Minnesota and is getting counseling for anxiety and PTSD issues. He said the incident was a “low point” in Erickson’s life.
Throughout the course of his case, Erickson admitted to four violations of the twice daily breathalyzer tests required by the 24-7, once while wearing his police uniform. Adamski said Erickson asked colleagues to make exceptions to the 24-7 program rules, putting them in a “tough spot.”
The prosecutor from the Attorney General’s Office was not in favor of giving Erickson a suspended imposition of sentence saying law enforcement officers should be held to a higher standard. Between that and the 24-7 violations, Adamski said it would not serve the public well to grant the request. She did say a suspended imposition of sentence may be issued down the road, but Erickson must prove to the Court that he’s earned it.
Erickson must also complete a court mandated evaluation and treatment program. He was also sentenced to 40 hours of community service, which he’s already completed.
The arrest happened after Erickson reported being in a car versus deer crash near the intersection of Garfield and Wells Avenues. At the time of his arrest, Erickson’s blood alcohol test came back at .217%, or more than twice the legal limit.
Because Erickson was a police officer at the time, the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office and the state Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation into the incident. The Attorney General’s Office handled the prosecution.
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JUNE 15, 2023:
Sentencing has been scheduled for Aug. 3, 2023, for an off-duty Pierre Police officer arrested for Driving Under the Influence in March (March 24, 2023).
Jeremiah Erickson entered a guilty plea today (June 15, 2023) in Hughes County Court. He also asked for any jail time to be suspended and to receive a suspended imposition of sentence.
His blood alcohol test came back at .217%, or more than twice the legal limit.
The judge ordered Erickson to remain on the 24/7 program until sentencing. The program requires twice daily PBT tests.
Erickson was initially placed on administrative leave while the Pierre Police Department did an internal investigation. When asked if Erickson is still on leave or still employed with the department, a spokesperson for the City of Pierre declined to comment citing a “personnel issue.”
Erickson’s arrest followed a car versus deer crash near the intersection of Garfield and Wells Avenues. Erickson reported the crash and identified himself as a police officer. To avoid any conflict of interest, a Hughes County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to the scene of the crash.
During the investigation, the deputy suspected Erickson had consumed alcohol and requested the South Dakota Highway Patrol conduct a DUI investigation. Erickson was subsequently arrested by the Highway Patrol, processed through the Hughes County Jail, then bonded out with conditions of participating in the 24/7 sobriety program.
Erickson then failed to report to the Hughes County Jail the next day to do the 24/7 breath test as required by his bond condition.
A suspended imposition of sentence is a procedure that seals the record of an offense for an individual who has pled guilty or been convicted. A person may receive one misdemeanor SIS and one felony SIS in South Dakota for their lifetime. This applies to residents and non-residents of South Dakota.
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MARCH 27, 2023:
A Pierre Police officer is on administrative leave after being arrested for Driving Under the Influence on Friday (March 24, 2023).
Information provided by the Pierre Police Department says Jeremiah Erickson’s arrest followed a car versus deer crash near the intersection of Garfield and Wells Avenues. Erickson, who was off duty at the time, reported the crash and identified himself as a police officer. To avoid any conflict of interest, a Hughes County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to the scene of the crash.
During the investigation, the deputy suspected Erickson had consumed alcohol and requested the South Dakota Highway Patrol conduct a DUI investigation. Erickson was subsequently arrested by the Highway Patrol, processed through the Hughes County Jail, then bonded out with conditions of participating in the 24/7 sobriety program.
Erickson failed to report to the Hughes County Jail Saturday to do the 24/7 breath test as required by his bond condition. He reported to the jail yesterday and is in custody on a bond violation.
The Pierre Police Department is also conducting an internal investigation.
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