The Secret Service agent charged with drunk driving in Decorah just before President Obama’s visit to northeast Iowa this past August has been ordered to pay a hefty fine.
Forty-year-old Daniel Valencia last week entered an Alford plea in Winneshiek County District Court, which means he didn’t admit guilt, but concedes evidence exists for a probable conviction. He was sentenced to two days in jail and then given credit for time served.
Valencia can fulfill the sentence by completing an OWI weekend program in Iowa. It includes an offenders drinking-and-driving course offered by the Iowa D.O.T. He must also pay a fine of $1,250 and a surcharge of $437.
Valencia was arrested by Decorah police at about 1:30 on a Saturday morning, after he ran a red light. He was off duty at the time. President Obama arrived in Decorah the following Monday.
(Reporting by Darin Swenson, KDEC, Decorah)