A Wyoming state representative who was charged late last year with suspicion of drunk driving doesn’t have to undergo random alcohol testing while he’s in Washington, D.C. with other lawmakers, a Buffalo-based magistrate ruled last week.
Rep. Bill Allemand, R-Midwest, made the motion May 5 via his attorney Mike Vang, asking the court to let him forego the chemical testing requirement that his bond agreement requires, while he’s in Washington D.C. from May 31 to June 4.
The motion says the “state,” in this case represented by the Johnson County Attorney’s Office, did not oppose the request.
Allemand has agreed, however, to submit to breath testing before leaving and immediately upon return, the motion says.
Magistrate Judge Jeremy Kisling signed the proposed order last week.
Allemand told Cowboy State Daily in a Wednesday interview that around 46 lawmakers are going to the nation’s Capitol to meet with Trump cabinet members on multiple topics.
“It’s a huge honor to be invited,” said Allemand. “We were invited by the White House.”
He said he did not have the names of everyone going. He plans to learn from the cabinet members and also let them know what Wyoming needs.
As for the testing requirement, Allemand rebutted that it rises to the level of a statewide news story.
“You make it sound… like I’m being treated special, and believe me I am not,” said Allemand. “If I worked on an oil rig in Noth Dakota I would get the very same thing. There is no special treatment here.”
Meanwhile, Allemand has multiple motions pending before the court.
For example, Kisling is considering whether a Johnson County Sheriff’s Office deputy had enough evidence to arrest Allemand in late December.
The public-facing court file showed no ruling on that matter as of Wednesday.
An affidavit written by Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy Caleb Campbell says Allemand admitted to drinking two beers before he was stopped in the area of 74 East Highway 16 in Buffalo, the Miller’s Travel Center.
Allemand said he drinks while driving to deal with anxiety, wrote Campbell in an evidentiary affidavit filed in Buffalo Circuit Court.
Cowboy State Daily also has watched body camera footage showing those admissions.
The misdemeanor DUI charge Allemand faces is punishable by up to six months in jail and $750 in fines.
This case is ongoing. Allemand’s trial in Buffalo Circuit Court is set for Sept. 16.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
