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.
Smithfield City Police officers 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. He admitted to officers that he barged into the home to retrieve a pair of sunglasses and then got into a fight 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.
So until he kills someone is when this will be taken serious ? This is his third DUI, and hasn’t learned send him to prison maybe he’ll finally get the point. But of course just like PEDO’s they get lots of chances.
It’s not his third DUI, it’s his FOURTH!
Actually, the 2021 DUI was Mr. West’s FOURTH DUI. His first DUI was in another state. Also, this is his THIRD assault charge. Should be his fourth for assaulting his own father in 2015. The first two victims were Mr. West’s female domestic partners. He is an absolute danger to himself and anyone that goes near him.
This man has a much more extensive abusive past, that is not stated in the article. What will it take for authorities to give the appropriate consequences to people like this? Someone being seriously harmed, or killed? Wake up and do the right thing here. The system is seriously flawed. Three months in jail over 15 years of consistent abusive/violence? When will we get it right?
It sounds like since 2015 he has only gotten more violent and has not stopped drinking or doing drugs whichever the DUI is for. Why does law enforcement think rehab will do him any good this time? He should be sent to prison before he kills someone.
He was lucky he didn’t enter my home. He would have left in a body bag. Break in my home oh heck no!