Secretary of State Tre Hargett takes plea deal in DUI case
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Secretary of State Tre Hargett on Thursday accepted a plea deal after he was charged with driving under the influence following a June arrest in Tullahoma.
Hargett entered what is known as a "best interest" plea deal, which is a formal guilty plea while maintaining he's innocent of the charge.
"My counsel believes I had a strong case to argue before the court, and I have been surprised by some events and actions during this experience," Hargett said in a statement released by his office. "However, my desire is to accept responsibility for my actions and move forward and to focus on how God can use me to make something positive from this difficult time."
Hargett said the months since his arrest have "been humbling and at times very dark for me."
"It is wrong to drive any vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and rest assured this is a mistake I will never make again," Hargett said.
A Tullahoma police officer observed Hargett's vehicle leaving 315 Bar before it ran over line markings for at least three blocks, according to Hargett's Coffee County arrest warrant.
After pulling Hargett over, the officer said, he smelled an "intoxicant" in the vehicle and noted Hargett's eyes "were glossy."
"The subject kept saying yes sir at inappropriate times when he had not yet been asked a question," the affidavit stated.
More:Secretary of State Tre Hargett was arrested for DUI after leaving Tullahoma bar in state vehicle
Hargett "performed poorly" on field sobriety tests before consenting to a blood sample test.
Hargett was driving his state vehicle when he left the Bonnaroo music festival and stopped at the Tullahoma bar. A spokesperson previously told the Tennesseean Hargett paid taxes on and was allowed to drive the vehicle for personal use.
An initial court date was set for mid-July but was continually pushed back into the fall.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett takes plea deal for Bonnaroo DUI
