Terra Bella Man Convicted of 11th DUI
Yesterday in Department 22 of the Tulare County Superior Court, South County Justice Center, Judge Walter Gorelick presiding, a jury convicted Steven Elms, age 44, of felony driving under the influence of alcohol and felony driving with a BAC of .08% or higher. The special allegations that his BAC was above .15% were also found true. Prior to trial, Elms pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of driving on a suspended license and failure to utilize an ignition interlock device.
On May 18, 2018, Elms was observed driving 90 mph and swerving by a Tulare County Sheriff’s Officedetective on Road 256 between Terra Bella and Porterville. He was stopped and taken into custody after an evaluation by the California Highway Patrol.
This conviction constitutes Elms’ 11th DUI conviction since 1998, and his ninth such conviction in California. Records indicate he possesses two prior DUI convictions in Utah.
1998 – Misdemeanor driving with .08% BAC or higher
2001 – Misdemeanor driving under the influence of liquor (UT)
2003 – Misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (UT) 2005 – Misdemeanor driving with .08% BAC or higher
2007 – Misdemeanor driving with .08% BAC or higher
2012 – Misdemeanor driving with .08% BAC or higher
2014 – Misdemeanor driving with .08% BAC or higher
2014 – Felony driving with .08% BAC or higher
2016 – Felony driving with .08% BAC or higher
2016 – Felony driving with .08% BAC or higher
Sentencing is scheduled for February 7, 2019, in Superior Court where Elms faces the California legal maximum of 5 years and 4 months in state prison.
“Our office will continue to vigorously prosecute the entirely avoidable crime of DUI, to the end that wehave a dedicated attorney assigned to prosecute DUI offenders. There are too many options available toget home safe instead of driving under the influence. If you see DUI on the road, call 911,” said DistrictAttorney Tim Ward.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ryan Tiede of the Special Crimes Division andinvestigated by Sgt. Oladapo Popoola of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and Officer Salvador Arteagaof the California Highway Patrol.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494