CEDAR CITY, Utah-A Las Vegas man is facing charges of attempting to bribe a public servant after he allegedly offered a police officer as much as $50,000 to release him instead of arresting him on suspicion of DUI.
The incident, which occurred Sunday morning, entails 28-year-old Jacquez Garfield Wright driving a gray Dodge Journey SUV per Cedar City Police.
The vehicle was stopped in a drive-thru area between two fast food restaurants near 1050 W. 200 North, a neighborhood called “Burger Alley” by students at nearby Southern Utah University.
This was per a probable cause statement filed in support of Wright’s arrest.
A Cedar City Police officer wrote that his observation of Wright saw him exhibiting “very poor walking” skills as he also struggled with “standing balance.”
The officer continued, saying “As I stood approximately 10 feet from Jacquez, I smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person.”
The officer expounded upon Wright’s stupor, confirming Wright’s slurred speech in addition to the smell of alcohol.
Police noted that as they continued to question Wright, he became increasingly agitated and belligerent. He also tried to walk away from authorities, per the report.
Wright was placed in handcuffs and after he refused to enter the officer’s vehicle, the statement says he had to be stunned twice with a Taser before finally complying with officers’ demands.
Another officer noted that Wright offered to pay him cash on multiple occasions if he would release him.
The officer also said that several times, Wright claimed to be wealthy and had $500 in cash on him at the time.
These bribe offers were recorded, along with the rest of the incident, via a body camera worn by the officer.
After obtaining a DUI warrant, police officers took Wright to Cedar City Hospital to get a blood sample.
However, because of the subject’s resistance, the phlebotomist could not properly conduct the blood draw, per an affidavit.
Wright was subsequently booked into the Iron County Jail of Cedar City where he is currently being detained on suspicion of several counts.
Among them are a third-degree felony of offering to bribe a public servant in addition to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, marijuana possession, interfering with an arresting officer and operating a vehicle without a valid license.
His Las Vegas license had been revoked.
