BRECKINRIDGE COUNTY, Ky. — For the second time stemming from this DUI, Breckinridge County Sheriff Todd Pate went before a judge.
This time answering to a six-count indictment, including charges of Wanton Endangerment and Tampering With Physical Evidence.
Pate ironically, who's sent many arrested to the same courthouse, found himself again as a criminal defendant. He pleaded not guilty to his charges.
His attorney petitioned the court to allow Pate, as sheriff, to carry a gun. The special appointed judge denied that.
Judge Janet Crocker also ordered that Pate wasn't allowed to drink, will be subject to random drug and alcohol tests, and must continue to go to AA meetings as well as contact his sponsor at least once a week.
She also ordered his bond conditions mirror those stemming from the initial State Police charge, his second DUI.
Pate's was ordered not to use or possess a gun as of March 10 and his license was suspended March 12 after State Police charged him with drunk driving back after he crashed into another car March 8, injuring several, and witnesses say they saw him trying to hide beers in the woods.
After the arraignment, Pate snuck out of the courthouse through the sally port.
"Me and you or myself if we were there in court we would be going out of the front door, we wouldn't be going out the back door, sneaking out, I wouldn't say the guy snuck out, but the way he left wasn't quite right," said Niles Heggie.
There were about twenty people in the courtroom and Heggie was one of them.
"I think maybe the good 'ole boy system might not win on this one, hopefully, it doesn't," Heggie told the FOCUS team.
The judge set Pate's bond at $10,000 unsecured, meaning he doesn't have to put up any money.
Pate did paid $2000 bond after the initial State Police charge.
The district court case is expected to merge with the circuit court case.
The sheriff is due back in court August 2.
The FOCUS team will continue to follow this case.
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