The Saline County sheriff arrested over the weekend on allegations he was intoxicated while trying to get into a vehicle will speak about the case Monday afternoon.
Sheriff Bruce Pennington was cited for public intoxication and refusal to submit to arrest after police responded shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday to a report of a "very intoxicated individual getting into a vehicle," Benton Police Department Lt. Kevin Russell said in a news release.
Officers reportedly tried to persuade Pennington to have someone pick him up, but he became "belligerent" and was arrested, Russell said.
Pennington was cited on charges of public intoxication and refusal to submit to arrest and then released to a family member at the Police Department.
He was not booked into the jail because he is the chief administrator of the facility and lodging inmates at jails in neighboring counties is typically reserved for felony cases, Russell said Monday. No mug shot was taken.
The sheriff's office said a news conference with Pennington is scheduled at 2 p.m. at the agency headquarters "in reference to what occurred this weekend."
Pennington is due to make an initial court appearance Aug. 5.