Utah man sentenced to jail for multiple DUI arrests

A St. George man who was arrested for three DUIs in less than 45 hours last summer in Cache County will spend more time behind bars for the crimes.

Daniel Kropf, 42, pleaded guilty to two DUI charges, one as a third-degree felony and the other a class B misdemeanor. The third DUI charge was dropped as part of a plea deal, according to court documents.

On Monday, 1st District Court Judge Clint Judkins suspended a prison sentence of zero-to-five years and instead ordered Kropf to spend 180 days in the Cache County jail. He was given credit for 26 days already served.

Judkins ruled Kropf could have work release after 30 days in the jail, and also ordered 36 months of probation for the man.

Utah law makes a driver's third DUI a felony — but only after the driver has been convicted twice. Prosecutors had planned to hold three separate trials for Kropf, but he took a plea deal on March 20.

On July 8, 2012, a Cache County sheriff's deputy pulled over Kropf at 1000 West and 1400 North, according to Logan police. Kropf was allegedly driving under the influence of drugs with his child and wife in the car. He was arrested and booked into jail, but posted $2,390 bail.

The next night, a medical call brought police to the parking lot of a Super 8 Motel at 86 S. Main St. Officers found Kropf in an Escalade, impaired again, according to police. Kropf was arrested and booked into jail, where he again posted bail.

Twenty-four hours later, on July 10, a Logan officer responding to a call of a possibly drunken driver pulled Kropf over at 2500 North and Main Street, where the officer found Kropf under the influence.

Kropf has a long record of automobile offenses but no prior convictions of DUIs, according to court records.

As part of his probation, Kropf was ordered to complete drug and alcohol counseling.

jmiller@sltrib.com

Twitter: @jm_miller