Edmond police released body‑camera footage from last Friday that captures the arrest of Oklahoma Secretary of State Benjamin Lepak at a McDonald’s restaurant in Edmond. Officers approached Lepak after observing signs of impairment, including slurred speech, a noticeable smell of alcohol and an unsteady stance.
Interaction with officers
One officer asked Lepak, “What have you been doing today?” to which Lepak replied, “I went to church tonight, actually.” The officer followed up with a comment about “a lot of communion,” to which Lepak responded, “What’s that?” The officer then noted Lepak’s slurred words and loss of balance, stating, “You’re off‑balance. Clearly intoxicated. What’s going on?”
Lepak told the officer he had consumed less than one beer, adding, “I didn’t finish it.” The officer repeated the question, “Less than one beer?” Lepak confirmed, “Yeah.” The officer then pointed out Lepak’s wobbling and continued slurring, saying, “And you’re wobbling and you’re slurring.” Lepak insisted, “No… I did not have more than that.”
Arrest and charges
After the exchange, the officer informed Lepak that he was under arrest for public intoxication, adding, “You’re lucky it’s not a DUI.” Lepak responded, “No, I don’t,” and asked, “What have I done wrong?” The officer clarified, “Drunk in public. And you drove here.” Lepak was taken into custody and charged with public intoxication. Police indicated that additional charges could be considered if further evidence emerges.
A spokesperson for Lepak said the Secretary of State will address the citation through the appropriate legal channels.
Context and community response
The incident has drawn attention because it involves a high‑ranking state official and occurred in a public setting. While the arrest itself is a matter of law‑enforcement procedure, local residents and community leaders have expressed concern about the example set by public officials. No official statements from the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s office beyond the spokesperson’s comment have been released at this time.
The body‑camera video provides a clear record of the interaction and underscores the city’s commitment to enforcing public‑intoxication statutes, regardless of an individual’s position.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
