BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota lawmaker who serves on a panel that handles regulation enforcement laws made homophobic and anti-migrant remarks to a police officer who arrested him on a cost of driving drunk, physique digital camera footage exhibits.
Republican state Rep. Nico Rios of Williston was additionally charged with refusing to supply a chemical take a look at. Each that and the drunken driving cost are misdemeanors below state regulation. Rios is scheduled for a Feb. 5 pretrial convention in municipal courtroom.
Williston police pulled him over on Dec. 15 for failing to keep up his lane, in accordance with an officer’s report. The officer wrote that Rios “was verbally abusive, homophobic, racially abusive and discriminatory” towards him “for your entire period of the incident following street facet testing.”
The homophobic slurs might be heard in physique digital camera footage requested by and supplied to The Related Press. Within the recording, Rios additionally mentioned he would name the North Dakota lawyer basic in regards to the scenario. He advised the officers they’d “remorse selecting on me as a result of you do not know who … I’m.”
He additionally cursed whereas driving within the patrol automotive, and questioned the officer’s English accent, asking him, “What number of of your … family and friends members have been … brutalized and terrorized by … migrants?” Discussion board Information Service first reported on Rios’ remarks.
Requested for remark, Rios replied in an e mail, “Inebriated or not my actions and phrases to regulation enforcement that night time have been completely unacceptable.”
The lawmaker mentioned he was sorry and vowed “to ensure this by no means occurs once more.”
“Shifting ahead after this night time I really feel like I’ve to emphasise my full and complete dedication to supporting Legislation Enforcement,” he wrote.
Rio mentioned he was leaving a Christmas social gathering earlier than the visitors cease, and has “solely gotten assist from my colleagues, though just a few have yelled at me for positive I deserved it.”
Rios was elected final yr to the North Dakota Home of Representatives. He sits on the Home Judiciary Committee, a panel that handles regulation enforcement laws. He is also a wireline operator, an oil subject place concerned within the hydraulic fracturing of wells.
Republican Home Majority Chief Mike Lefor mentioned he hadn’t seen the video, “however I’ve heard sufficient about it.” He wouldn’t say whether or not he’s asking Rios to resign, however mentioned he’s “wanting on the choices which can be in entrance of me,” and wished to talk with Rios earlier than commenting additional.
North Dakota Republican Celebration Chairwoman Sandi Sanford mentioned in a textual content message, “We’re deeply troubled by Rep. Rios’ harmful choice to drive whereas intoxicated and his remarks to regulation enforcement officers. His conduct doesn’t characterize the values of the NDGOP.”
The state’s Democratic Celebration chair referred to as Rios’ feedback “reprehensible.”
Republicans management the North Dakota Home, 82-12.