Felony charges for man who ran out of fuel on off ramp

Ashley Beld of Newell, SD, has been sentenced for possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor DUI charge after his vehicle allegedly ran out of fuel on the off ramp near Moorcroft.

According to court reports, a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper responded to mile marker 153 on I-90 just after 5 p.m. on April 13 following reports of a broken down vehicle bearing South Dakota plates on the off ramp.

The driver allegedly informed the officer that he had run out of fuel and provided a North Dakota driver’s license for the trooper, which had expired in February.

The trooper reports that he noticed Beld’s eyes were glassy and his speech was slurred. Beld allegedly stated he had left Nisland, SD, at 12:30 p.m. and was driving to Gillette to see “his ex”.

When the trooper asked how much he had had to drink, Beld allegedly responded, “Not sure”. Several tests were performed to determine whether Beld was intoxicated, including the walk-and-turn.

Beld was placed under arrest for DUI and transported to the Crook County Detention Facility. Once there, a property inventory was taken and a small white container was located labeled “Krazy Glue”.

Inside was a small amount of suspected marijuana, which Beld allegedly did not want to discuss. Beld agreed to a breath test and provided two samples significantly over the allowable limit.

Beld pled guilty to one felony charge of possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense, with known prior convictions in Brookings County, Fall River County and Butte County, SD between 1993 and 1999. He was also charged on a misdemeanor count of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

On the felony charge, Beld was sentenced to between three and five years in jail with all but 180 days already served to be suspended pending completion of three years of supervised probation. He was also issued a suspended $5000 fine and various fees and charges.

On the misdemeanor count, Beld was sentenced to 180 days in the Crook County Detention Center with credit for 180 days served.