A Jefferson County jury found Nicholas J. Rinehart, 39, of Pevely guilty of driving while intoxicated as a chronic offender and threatening a Sheriff’s Office deputy and a member of the deputy’s family. Rinehart has four previous alcohol-related offenses and was on parole for aggravated DWI at the time of his arrest, authorities reported.
On Oct. 16, Rinehart was found guilty of DWI as a chronic offender, a class C felony, and first-degree stalking of a law enforcement officer or officer’s relative. He was charged as a persistent felony offender and faces a punishment of up to 25 years, according to a social media post by Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Trisha Stefanski.
Jefferson County Div. 1 Circuit Judge Joseph Rathert is scheduled to sentence Rinehart on Jan. 7, court records show.
Thomas Argana, Rinehart’s attorney, on Oct. 16 requested additional time to file a motion for a new trial, according to court documents.
Jefferson County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Courtney Goodwin prosecuted the case.
According to the case’s probable-cause statement, deputies were called on Dec. 29, 2022, to the 2000 block of Dogwood Lane in Pevely because Rinehart was seen driving a 1997 GMC Sierra in the area of a reported disturbance with possible shots fired.
When a deputy contacted Rinehart in the driveway of a home, Rinehart appeared intoxicated, and it was discovered he was wanted on active warrants. Another deputy was called to the home to perform a DWI investigation, the report said.
Rinehart told the deputy performing the DWI investigation that he drank “a few” alcoholic beverages, and Rinehart failed a field sobriety test before being arrested. When Rinehart was taken to a patrol vehicle, he told the deputy that “he’s going to snap,” according to the report.
At the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro, Rinehart thrashed around in the patrol vehicle and attempted to strike the deputy. When he was inside the jail, Rinehart yelled at the corrections officers, refused to follow commands and struck his head on a wall causing injuries to his head, face and shoulder, the report said.
Jail medical staff examined Rinehart and determined he needed to be transported to Mercy Jefferson Hospital in Crystal City. When an ambulance arrived at the Jail to transport Rinehart, he saw a deputy who he knew because they live near each other, according to the report
Rinehart allegedly threatened the deputy and threatened to harm one of the deputy’s relatives. He told the deputy, “If you don’t know God, you better. You’re going to need him soon,” the report said.
Rinehart continued to make threats against the deputy and the deputy’s family member at the hospital before it was determined he was fit for confinement and could be booked into jail, according to the report.
Court records show Rinehart pleaded guilty to aggravated DWI in August 2018 and persistent offender DWI in May 2014. He also pleaded guilty to felony drug possession charges in 2014 and 2018, and felony burglary and stealing charges in 2014.