Nies pleads guilty to misdemeanor DWI charge

McLeod County Commissioner Sheldon Nies pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DWI charge during a pretrial hearing Thursday (Nov. 20).

Nies had been charged with fourth-degree misdemeanor DWI and driving with a blood alcohol concentration more than .08 percent.

The charges stemmed from a June 11 incident in which Nies’ vehicle was found in a ditch northwest of Hutchinson. Nies was arrested later that night under suspicion of driving under the influence. County Attorney Mike Junge passed the case on to Sibley County Attorney David Schauer to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.

According to Schauer, Nies was found to have a BAC of .14 percent. Schauer said Judge Terrence Conkel placed Nies on probation for one year. Conditions of probation are that he pay a $350 fine and a surcharge, complete a chemical dependency evaluation and follow the recommendations of the evaluation, attend a MADD impact panel, and remain law-abiding.

Schauer said “law-abiding” means Nies must not have any alcohol- or driving-related offenses during his probation.

Nies represents McLeod County’s Fourth District, which includes the southeast quarter of Hutchinson, Biscay, Brownton, and Hassan Valley, Rich Valley and Sumter townships.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)