Darien Aztec Salas booking photo from the Cache County Jail.
LOGAN — A 27-year-old Logan man has been sentenced to jail for driving under the influence and then sexually assaulting a responding deputy earlier this year. Darien Aztec Salas was ordered to serve 180 days, while being given credit for 68 days already served.
Salas was sentenced Wednesday morning in 1st District Court. He previously pleaded guilty to attempted forcible sexual abuse, a third-degree felony; violating a protective order and jail release orders, both class A misdemeanors; and driving under the influence, a class B misdemeanor.
On January 4, a Cache County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a single-vehicle crash at 2658 West 3400 North in Benson. Upon arrival, she discovered the vehicle had driven off of the road and into a ditch.
The driver, identified as Salas, had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person. He failed a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer test later showed he had an alcohol level of 0.283.
After being transported to the hospital for medical care, Salas was taken to jail. As the deputy was completing paperwork, she reported Salas “reached up with his foot and caressed her buttocks.” He also “attempted to touch her buttocks with his hand,” as he was being taken into the booking area.
According to prosecutors, a month later while Salas was out of jail, he contacted a woman who had previously filed a protective order against him. He later had a friend contact her again for him, violating a jail release agreement.
During Wednesday’s sentencing, the victim described how Salas was jealous of her and would go into fits of rage. She asked the court to keep him behind bars, explaining how he once threatened to leave her naked in a ditch if she ever left him.
Defense attorney Shannon Demler said his client could benefit from mental health treatment and help overcoming substance abuse.
Judge Brian Cannell told Salas that if he didn’t follow court orders going forward, he will face substantial jail time.