Jail time for former Palmer mayor

PALMER — Former Palmer mayor and Wasilla city official John C. Combs will spend a few days in jail after reaching a plea bargain on an original charge for driving under the influence.

District Court Judge John Wolfe sentenced Combs to 40 days in jail with 37 suspended during an April 3 change of plea hearing. He dismissed a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance at the same hearing.

Combs resigned his position as Recreation and Cultural Services manager for the city of Wasilla on the afternoon of Oct. 9, 2013, hours after he was arrested on suspicion of DUI following an event at the Curtis C. Menard Memorial Sports Center.

Witnesses observed Combs consuming alcohol during the weekly Tuesday Night Fights at the complex, and he was reported as a dangerous driver to Alaska State Troopers following the event, according to an affidavit Trooper Gary Cox filed in support of the charges.

Immediately following the arrest, Combs was suspended without pay by Mayor Verne Rupright pending a city investigation into the allegations that Combs was consuming alcohol while on city time. Combs came to Rupright’s office later that day and resigned.

The controlled substance charge stemmed from a single Xanax pill in Combs’ possession at the time of his arrest.

Under the plea agreement, Combs pleaded guilty to reckless driving in return for dropping the DUI and controlled substance charges, according to court documents. In addition to the three days to serve in jail, Judge Wolfe’s sentence also includes a $1,000 fine, which was also suspended, and a pair of $50 court surcharges for a total of $100 to pay.

It’s unclear when Combs will have to serve his time in jail. His attorney, Frederick Slone, filed a motion April 8 asking to reschedule Combs’ jail report date. Judge Wolfe had not ruled on that motion as of press time Thursday.