Edmond, Oklahoma – On August 14, Edmond police officers arrested Oklahoma Secretary of State Benjamin Lepak on a public intoxication complaint after a McDonald’s employee called 911 reporting a visibly drunk individual wandering the restaurant’s parking lot.
Police response and body‑camera footage
Edmond Police Department released body‑camera video that shows officers approaching Lepak, noting his “extremely slurred speech” and the odor of alcohol on his breath. When asked how much he had consumed, Lepak initially replied, “I haven’t,” before later stating he had had less than one beer.
During the encounter, Lepak told officers he was on his way from a church event and that his children had recently started at a new school. He volunteered to obtain an Uber ride, a detail the police report said would not have been necessary if he were not intoxicated.
Legal perspective on possible charges
Attorney John Cannon of Cannon and Associates explained that while the current charge is public intoxication, it could be upgraded to a DUI (driving under the influence) if additional evidence – such as security camera footage showing Lepak driving to the restaurant – is uncovered. “When law enforcement makes that determination, that’s not the final say. They present the investigation to the DA’s office, and they decide what charges they think should apply,” Cannon said.
Cannon outlined three charge categories: public intoxication (being drunk in a public place), actual physical control (being drunk while able to operate a vehicle), and DUI, which is the most serious and can be either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances.
Secretary of State’s office response
A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s Office told KOCO that Lepak was waiting outside McDonald’s for dinner and was not subjected to a breathalyzer test. “Mr. Lepak will address the ticket appropriately through the legal process,” the statement read.
Potential next steps
If prosecutors obtain additional evidence, such as pole‑camera or security footage confirming Lepak drove while intoxicated, the case could be refiled as a DUI. Until then, the public intoxication citation remains the official charge.
The incident highlights the scrutiny state officials face when personal conduct intersects with public duties, and it underscores the role of local law enforcement in holding elected leaders accountable.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
