Photo Posted/Courtesy: GCSO: Levi Smith, 30, was incarcerated on a DUI charge after he allegedly got into a fight with an off-duty police officer in the middle of the road.
by John Johnson
jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com
Graham County – He was arrested at the Graham County Adult Detention Facility on Feb. 10 on suspicion of DUI after allegedly getting into an altercation with an off-duty Wilcox police officer.
Levi Smith, 30, was arrested on DUI charges and jailed. He was referred to the Graham County Attorney’s Office for consideration as a possible additional charge of resisting arrest.
According to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office report, an off-duty Wilcox officer was driving with his wife in a green F-150 pickup truck to his home on Fort Grant Road when he was hit in the middle of the driveway. He said he noticed a parked car.
Upon examination, officers found Smith at the wheel and said he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Officers identified her with a badge and said they let Smith out of the vehicle. Smith later asked him to sit down until his wife called 9-1-1, according to a statement to the Graham County Sheriff’s Deputy.
But Wilcox said Mr Smith refused to sit down and tried to get back in his car and drive away. Officers then entered Smith’s car and switched the ignition to the off position. He said he and Smith got into a “fight” after he left. Officers reportedly dragged Smith to the ground and advised him to stop resisting. At that point, the officer said Smith pushed him back, causing the officer to back off and draw his gun.
However, Smith reportedly continued to approach officers, who holstered the firearm and pushed Smith to the ground, where he remained on top of Smith until other Wilcox officers arrived. Smith was detained in a Wilcox patrol car when the Graham County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived. The area technically belongs to Graham County, but is on the other side of Mount Graham and much closer to Wilcox.
The officer suffered abrasions on his hands and knees, but no other visible injuries.
When questioned by the sheriff’s deputy, Smith is alleged to have told him he was driving home from Tucson when he stopped the car because it was making “funny noises.” He said he wasn’t sure how the situation escalated, but was probably a little “deranged” from hiking that day.
When asked why he resisted, Wilcox Police Officer Smith reportedly replied, “I don’t know, I just don’t want to be arrested.”
The deputy said Mr Smith appeared drunk during the conversation and said his words were slurred and he struggled to keep his balance.
After failing an on-site sobriety test, the lieutenant asked Smith what he was under the influence of, and Smith reportedly replied, “I’m just getting high for life.”
Blood was then taken for testing and he was taken to prison without incident.
