Sheriff: Jail Sergeant Fired For Letting Drunk Driving Arrestee Out Early

MUSKEGON (AP) - The Muskegon County sheriff says a jail sergeant has been fired after the early release of an Ottawa County corrections officer accused of drunken driving.

Authorities say 42-year-old Dennis Smith was booked into the Muskegon County Jail in the early morning of May 1, and a deputy drove him home soon after. The Muskegon Chronicle reports Smith pleaded not guilty May 13 to driving "super drunk," or having a blood-alcohol content of at least 0.17 percent.

Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler says the fired sergeant released Smith before his blood-alcohol content dipped below the legal driving limit of 0.08 percent, giving the appearance of special treatment and violating several policies.

Police union official David Willis tells WOOD-TV that it filed a grievance on the sergeant's behalf.