GARFIELD COUNTY, Utah, May 4, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A Utah State Bureau of Investigations employee was arrested late last month in Garfield County, and has been charged with driving under the influence.
Jason James Whitehead, 35, arrested on April 24 near Panguitch, was also charged with two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and with one count of open container in a vehicle.
All charges are misdemeanors, according to court records.
Keith Squires, Utah Commissioner of Public Safety, released the following statement regarding Whitehead’s case:
“I’m very disappointed when it’s found that one of our own, who has committed to protect, made a bad choice that could harm others. We were fortunate in this incident that no one was hurt and we have taken immediate action to address this incident.
“This is a very rare occurrence that does not represent the conduct of the nearly 1,600 men and women of the Utah Department of Public Safety who have dedicated their careers to providing caring and professional service.”
Whitehead was stopped after erratic driver calls came in at about 5 p.m. April 24, according to sheriff’s office officials. Whitehead was stopped about 5 miles north of Panguitch on U.S. 89.
Whitehead was on his way to a training assignment at Lake Powell, Garfield County officials said. He posted bail the day after his arrest.
Whitehead was placed on administrative leave, according to a spokesman for the Utah Highway Patrol.
