Former Rangeline Sonic supervisor pleads not guilty to sixth drunk driving offense

Former Rangeline Sonic supervisor Chris Alred pleaded not guilty to felony driving while intoxicated this morning in Jasper County Circuit Court.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 9 a.m. August 27 before Judge David Mouton.

Alred, 31, who is also awaiting trial on a felony statutory rape charge, is free after posting a $5,000 surety bond. The next hearing in that case is scheduled for 9 a.m. August 13 before Judge Dean Dankelson.
In addition to the charge of driving while intoxicated as a habitual offender (he has five previous DWI convictions), Alred is also charged with resisting arrest and endangering the welfare of a child.

The Sarcoxie Police Department arrested Alred August 27. In the probable cause statement, Sarcoxie Officer Connor Hackworth said Alred was stopped for driving with only one headlight. Alred pulled over on a ramp that said "do not enter" facing oncoming traffic.

Hackworth smelled alcohol and noticed Alred's eight-year-old daughter was in the car with him.

Alred refused to do a field sobriety test, then put the car into drive and pulled away. Hackworth stopped him at the Kum N. Go.

Alred pleaded guilty to DWI charges on five earlier occasions.

The statutory sodomy charge against Alred, involving a teenage Sonic carhop, is also at the center of the teenager's lawsuit against Alred, Rangeline Sonic, other Sonic supervisors and the management company that runs the local franchise.

A notice to take Alred's deposition in that lawsuit is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. August 2 and will continue from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. day to day until it is completed.