Uh oh. Someone is in trouble.
The South Dakota State University Association President was arrested for underage possession as well as a fake ID (and was suspected of having consumed said alcohol) after apparently having a bit too much fun this last weekend. From the SDSU Collegian:
Newly elected Students’ Association President Nicholas Grote said Tuesday he will not step down from his position after his arrest last weekend.
and..
Grote was arrested at 1:38 a.m. early Sunday morning on charges of possession of a fictitious license and underage purchase or possession of alcoholic beverages, according to an email from Brookings Police Department Detective Adam Smith sent to The Collegian. The arrest took place on the 300 block of 3rd Street at the 24-hour parking lot.
Detective Smith told The Collegian Grote smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes.
and..
Grote said he does not think law enforcement had a good reason to stop him, and said that there is not enough evidence for his charges.
Interestingly, during the campaign for Student Association President last month, the perp (Grote) had heavily criticized the ethics of his opponent in terms of his conduct, expressly citing that violating the Student Association code of ethics is grounds for removal.
According to the SA code of ethics, members of the Students’ Association must “perform duties in accordance with institutional, local, state and federal rules and law..”
and..
Grote said during the debate last month: “We (The Students Association) have an entire list of things you do not violate when you are a senator. I’m sure, Hunter, you know, you violated five … seven of those codes of ethics when talking about [vice presidential candidate Trinity Peterson or myself]. That is something that we will not tolerate in any way, shape or form. That is grounds for removal and that can be really, really bad.”
Grote is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. May 15 . The Collegian plans to continue following this story.
I guess he must have drawn a line through that part or added an exception for “falsifying government documents.” Because this seems like a case of do as I say, not as I do.
When I read “The Collegian plans to continue following this story,” I have the feeling they are rubbing their hands together and going mwaaahahaha, because he comes off as more than a bit self-righteous, and might need to be taken down a peg.
I really hope the Dr. Willis defends him so that we can remove her liberal presence from the student association advisory position.
he’s well on the way to helming his own tea party chapter some day.
What happened to taking accountability for one’s actions? “Yeah, I had a fictitious license. Yeah, I had the odor of alcohol on my person. Yeah, I was down by the bars. But, they didn’t breathalyze me. They didn’t even have a good reason, from my point of view, to stop and speak with me.” Seriously!! You are the SA President of the largest college in South Dakota. You have to hold yourself to a higher standard, and take responsibility for your actions. As a nation we have many faults and failings, but accepting the mantle of being an accountable person has utterly disappeared from the landscape. “What about!?” has become the new mantra. It pervades the top of our federal government and trickles down to our smallest communities. Maybe, if anything positive comes of the new social studies curriculum, we should really hammer home the story of George Washington and the cherry tree.
Perfect example of how some humility and remorse could have dramatically changed an outcome. Cops in a college town don’t usually make a big deal out of a fake ID and underage drinking…. Unless you act like a little jerk.
As someone who went to SDSU, may or may not have had a fake ID (allegedly), had a fair share of interactions with Brookings PD, and was never arrested, given a ticket, or even a warning, I can personally attest this is 100% correct. Be honest, be polite, and most of the time youre going to come out just fine if alcohol is the only issue. But they’re probably going to take the fake ID. Or so I’ve been told….
I’m sure there was some arrogance during the arrest. Stinks to be you. You broke the law, now be an almost adult and take your licks. You deserve it. You also knew what your duties were as SA President. Sounds like a little entitled putz.
Jess is right. He must have smarted off to the cops. An arrest like this would not be made in Vermillion unless the perp was disturbing the peace or blatantly mocking the police. Brookings is just a stricter environment.
Impeachment proceedings?
An embarrassing, expensive public lesson that will be forever be on the internet.
Whatever happenend to assumed stigacent until proven guilty. Y’all shud giv the kid a brake. I wouldn’t resign either.
Someone FOIA the body cam/ dash cam video.