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State Representative No Longer Faces Felony Count After DUI Arrest

Ohio House

A Butler County lawmaker no longer faces a felony charge that could have resulted in his automatic ouster from the legislature.  

A Butler County grand jury indicted State Representative Wes Retherford of Hamilton only on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.

Police initially charged the Republican legislator also with improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle, a felony. The grand jury declined to indict on that count.

The Butler County Sheriff's Office said authorities arrested Retherford March 12 after someone reported a man passed out behind the wheel at a McDonald's restaurant. Deputies said they found a loaded handgun in a car seat.

Retherford has not made any public comments about the arrest.