This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The former mayor of Helper has been sentenced to home confinement after pleading guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Dean Armstrong, 51, was originally charged with impaired driving and alcohol restricted driving, both class C misdemeanors, along with improper usage of lanes, a class C misdemeanor after a minor accident on Main Street in Helper in February.
The Utah Highway Patrol reported that Armstrong's blood alcohol level was 0.169 at that time of the accident — twice the legal limit in Utah.
Last Thursday, Armstrong accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to the two class B misdemeanors, while the class C misdemeanor was dismissed, according to court records.
Carbon County Justice Court Judge Elayne Storrs sentenced the former mayor to spend 15 days in jail, but allowed Armstrong to serve the time in home confinement. He was also sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay over $3,000 in fines.
Armstrong resigned from being mayor the day after the Feb. 22 accident. It was the second time Armstrong had been arrested for DUI during his term as mayor.
In May 2012, Armstrong pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charges of impaired driving, open container/drinking alcohol in a vehicle, and failing to stop or yield to a traffic sign, court records show. A judge suspended any jail time and placed Anderson on one year of probation. The terms of probation included a fine. Armstrong also was ordered to wear an ankle monitor for 60 days. The monitor was removed in September, jail records show.
Helper's council met following the 2011 arrest, but took no action against Armstrong.
Court records also indicate that Armstrong pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence in June 1991 in Salt Lake City. He received a suspended jail sentence and was ordered to perform community service, pay a fine and attend alcohol counseling, the records show. An additional charge of negligent collision was dropped.