PEA RIDGE — Former Pea Ridge councilman John Anthony Cody returned to Pea Ridge Tuesday, Oct. 26, to face charges of driving while intoxicated and driving while license suspended in Pea Ridge City Court.

Cody, also Garfield water superintendent at the time of his arrests, was charged March 16 for DWI when he arrived at a Pea Ridge City Council meeting intoxicated and then drove to his home in Pea Ridge. He was arrested again April 16 for driving with a suspended license when he drove a Garfield city vehicle to a Pea Ridge City Council meeting. His employment with Garfield was terminated in April.

Cody was also a candidate for a justice of the peace seat.

Cody originally entered a plea of not-guilty and witnesses were subpoenaed to testify. However, he changed his plea to guilty during court and witnesses were released.

Public Defender Michael Roberson represented Cody.

For DWI, Cody received $700 fines and costs, with an additional $100 user fee for the public defender.

For the charge of driving with a suspended license, Cody received $325 fines and costs, plus 20 days of public service in lieu of 10 days in jail.

Cody told Judge John Skaggs he is currently residing in Blue Springs, Mo. Skaggs ordered him to complete an alcohol class in his area equivalent to 12 hours of a drug and alcohol safety education program.

To prove Cody has met all legal obligations, a show-cause hearing is set for 1 p.m. Jan. 25 in Pea Ridge.

News, Pages 1 on 11/03/2010