Early Sunday morning, at 12:45 police in Alexandria, Virginia police pulled over a vehicle that they had observed had run a red light. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Senator Michael Crapo, 61-year-old Republican from Idaho.
Police administered a field sobriety test on Crapo, which he failed. The results of the test were registered at .11BAC. The legal limit in the state of Virginia is .08BAC.
Crapo was arrested and charged with a DUI and transported to the Alexandria jail. He was released from the jail at 5am on an unsecured $1,000 bond.
Hours after his arrest, Crapo, a Mormon, who has on several occasions remarked that he didn’t drink, issued a statement of apology for the incident. He said, “I am deeply sorry for the actions that resulted in this circumstance,” Crapo said. “I made a mistake for which I apologize to my family, my Idaho constituents and any others who have put their trust in me. I accept total responsibility and will deal with whatever penalty comes my way in this matter.
“I will also undertake measures to ensure that this circumstance is never repeated.”
If His statement is any indication, Crapo may plead out to the charge at his arraignment on January 4th, although there has not been any statement made saying he would do so. The Senators office also declined to comment on the circumstances of his arrest.
Crapo is a three-term Senator from Idaho elected to his seat in 1998. Prior to his terms as Senator, Crapo spent 6 years in the House.
The Mormon religion bans the use of tobacco, tea, coffee, illegal and recreational drugs and alcohol.
The state of Virginia’s DUI laws provide for the suspension of the offender’s driver’s license for a period of one year for the first offense. Re-instatement of a license requires completion of an Alcohol Safety and Education program. The state does not have a mandatory jail sentence for the first offense. The minimum fine is $250.