McAllister aide charge with DWI

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Adam Terry, 5th District U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister’s chief of staff, was arrested Friday night in Richland Parish on a driving while intoxicated charge.

Terry was arrested by state police at 11:05 on U.S. 425 near Rayville.

McAllister, R-Swartz, said Terry informed him of the arrest Saturday and has taken a temporarily leave from the office.

“I’m disappointed in Adam,” McAllister said. “I don’t condone his behavior, but I know he is a good person and has worked hard for the people of Louisiana. He is home now with his family in the district, and we want to make sure he gets the help that he needs.”

McAllister said Terry hasn’t been fired.

“If he gets the help he needs and does what’s required of him by the law and courts, he will be given a second chance in my office.”

Terry declined to comment.

The arrest affidavit said Trooper Nicholas Gee observed a vehicle in front of him cross the fog line and then the center line. The trooper said he made the traffic stop and smelled “a very strong odor” of alcohol “emitting from (Terry).”

Terry told the trooper he hadn’t been drinking and that he didn’t drink at all, but the trooper said Terry performed poorly on a field sobriety test.

The trooper observed an empty foam cup of which the contents had been poured on the back floor carpet. There was also an empty pint of whiskey and a full one.

Terry, who refused to take a breath test, was taken to the Richland Parish Detention Center and booked on a charge of DWI first and improper lane usage.

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