EXTRA CONTENT: Whitley Deputy Jailer arrested for DUI

See the arrest citation and court files for this case by clicking here.

A Whitley County Deputy Jailer, who was arrested last month for driving while under the influence, is still employed at the jail while officials wait to see what happens in court with her case.

On May 19, Kentucky State Police Trooper William Elliotte charged Sandra D. Hoke, 48, of Williamsburg, with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs and following another vehicle too closely.
Whitley County Jailer Ken Mobley said Tuesday morning that Hoke is still employed at the jail while her case is pending.

"We will wait and see what happens in court," he said.

Mobley said that he can’t say what disciplinary action might happen if she is found guilty or pleads guilty. She has been prohibited from operating any jail vehicles until her case is resolved.

Hoke is scheduled to be arraigned June 15 in Whitley District Court on the charges.

Elliotte arrested Hoke about 11:31 p.m. on May 19 on US25W after pulling her over in a 2003 Jeep Liberty about three miles north of Williamsburg, according to her arrest citation.

"As I observed the vehicle as it left the VFW, which is a known location for people drinking alcohol, I observed her following another vehicle at a very close distance and then cross the yellow line," Elliotte wrote. "I stopped the defendant and she appeared to be intoxicated. She had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about her breath, her eyes were red, and her speech was slightly slow and slurred."

Hoke failed several field sobriety tests including the one-leg stand and walk and turn, according to her arrest citation.

"I then placed her under arrest and transported her to the Whitley County Jail where I read her the implied consent and she agreed to take a breath test. She did not request to call an attorney or her own test," Elliotte wrote on the citation.

Hoke had a blood alcohol level of .096, according to her arrest citation. A person is considered legally intoxicated in Kentucky with a blood alcohol level of .08.

According to her arrest citation, alcohol involvement is suspected, but not drug involvement.

District Judge Jason Price ordered her released on her own recognizance about 9:19 a.m. the following day, according to court documents.

Hoke has been employed at the detention center since 2005, and hasn’t had any disciplinary problems during that time, Mobley said.