OUI Case Dropped Against Former State Rep. After Key Finding

A criminal case against a former state representative has been dropped thanks to newly-released blood test results that show the Hampton man wasn't actually impaired when police pulled him over earlier this year.

Former state Rep. Ken Sheffert, R-Hampton, had been charged with one count of operating under the influence of an undisclosed substance and had been scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday, although police confirmed Tuesday that Sheffert has been cleared thanks to the negative test results.

Deputy Police Chief Rich Sawyer said the department "at this point will not be pursuing any charges."

Hampton District Court staff confirmed Tuesday morning that there are no charges or cases pending for Sheffert in the New Hampshire judicial system.

Police had charged Sheffert, a one-term representative from Hampton who wasn't reelected in the November general election, with OUI on Jan. 3 after a traffic stop near Hampton Academy at about 12:30 a.m.

Sheffert, 47, was stopped for a missing headlight, and the arresting officer believed Sheffert was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, according to Sawyer.

The charge came not long after two other Hampton officials had been charged with OUI or a similar motor vehicle offense.

Public Works Director Keith Noyes recently pleaded not guilty and waived arraignment on a driving while intoxicated charge, while Jude David, the State Parks facilities manager for Hampton Beach and chairwoman of the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival, is set to go to trial on Feb. 20 on driving while intoxicated and conduct after an accident charges.