Booking photo for Zachery Jeff West. (Courtesy: Cache County Jail)
LOGAN — A 37-year-old Smithfield man has confessed to breaking into a home and assaulting a family member along with driving under the influence. Zachery J. West accepted a plea deal that allowed him to be released from jail after three months of incarceration.
West participated in a virtual hearing Wednesday in 1st District Court, appearing by video conference from the Cache County Jail. In the first case, he pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, amended to a third-degree felony; and assault, a class A misdemeanor. In the second case, he admitted to one count of driving under the influence, a third-degree felony.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped five remaining charges. They also agreed to allow West to be released from jail, so he could be admitted into an inpatient rehab facility.
On Oct. 29, 2021, Logan City police officers pulled West’s vehicle over when they noticed him swerving in and out of his lane. He failed a field sobriety test and later consented to a blood draw. He had previously been convicted of driving under the influence in 2009 and 2015.
While out of jail on pretrial release, West broke into the home of a family member on Feb. 13, 2022. The homeowner had forced the defendant to leave due to his intoxicated state.
West returned and kicked in a door of the home, forcing himself inside. When the victim confronted him, the defendant struck the homeowner in the face, breaking his nose.
Deputies located blood on a staircase and outside the home on a sidewalk. The victim also had a pair of pants stained with blood.
West was later located by law enforcement and questioned at the Sheriff’s Office. He admitted to barging into the home to retrieve a pair of sunglasses and fighting with the victim.
West spoke briefly during Wednesday’s court appearance, telling the court he wished to waive his rights to a fair trial and plead guilty.
Judge Brian Cannell agreed to follow attorney’s recommendation to allow West to be released from jail until sentencing takes place in June.
will@cvradio.com