Graves pleads guilty to drunk driving charge

A local man who once boasted to deputies that they would never catch him driving under the influence pleaded guilty to operating with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more on Jan. 3.

William Raymond Graves, 65, was originally charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, fourth offense, or — in the alternative — the aforementioned felony. He initially entered a not guilty plea in Lincoln County District Court.

Authorities arrested Graves on May 23 after Deputy Derek Breiland of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office came across him driving erratically on U.S. Highway 2 about 1:50 a.m., according to court documents. In an affidavit, Breiland wrote that he recognized the vehicle, which jerked around the road and changed speeds, from seeing it parked in front of a local bar during the day.

Calling in the license plate number, Breiland learned the vehicle belonged to Graves, a man familiar to local law enforcement, he wrote. Breiland recalled Graves once bragging about his elusiveness while driving drunk.

“Graves has told me previously that we cannot catch him driving drunk because he is too quick, or something to that effect,” Breiland wrote.

Breiland explained the reason for the traffic stop to Graves. The other man, though, attributed the layout of the road to his driving.

“My car don’t stay even with the tracks in the line because it’s not a big vehicle,” Graves allegedly said. “It’s a little vehicle so it goes like this.”

Graves demonstrated by moving his hands in a swaying motion, Breiland wrote in the affidavit.

During the course of the conversation, Breiland noted that Graves smelled of alcohol and slurred his speech. His eyes were watery, the deputy wrote.

Breiland called for backup, in the form of Deputy James Derryberry, and continued asking questions. Graves allegedly acknowledged playing poker in the downtown Libby bar in the hours before the stop, court documents said.

Upon Derryberry’s arrival, Breiland prepared to conduct a field sobriety test. Before doing so, he asked Graves how much he had to drink prior to the traffic stop. Graves admitted downing six drinks, finishing his last about a half hour prior, court documents said.

According to Brieland’s account, Graves performed poorly on the tests and allegedly acknowledged his poor performance. He asked that the deputies send him home rather than charge him with a crime, court documents said. Breiland, though, had enough probable cause to make an arrest.

Graves, who has four previous driving under the influence convictions dating back to 2003, refused both a breath and a blood test, court documents said. Breiland applied for and secured a warrant for Graves’ blood.

Under the terms of the plea agreement reached with prosecutors, Graves will earn a suspended three-year sentence and must complete the county’s treatment court program. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 7.