Following a Nov.16 arraignment in Park County Fifth District Court, a Cody man has been released from the Park County Detention Center to serve house arrest in Powell.

Benjamin Bradley Daniels, 42,  was arrested Sept. 9 for felon in possession of a firearm and driving under the influence third or subsequent offense, a misdemeanor. Daniels has been convicted of two violent felonies and charged with an additional violent felony in Utah.  

According to the affidavit written by Cody Police officer Jermey Traverse, Daniels was arrested after numerous calls reported a Dodge pickup had been driving erratically. Daniels was found parked in his truck with a rifle in the front seat. Daniels was unable to complete the field sobriety test and refused a Breathalyzer. At this point he was taken to the Park County Detention Center.

The affidavit noted that Daniels has a criminal history that includes convictions for felony strangulation of a household member in 2007 and 2011, criminal entry in 1999 and 2005, misdemeanor interference with a peace officer in 2007, 2014 and 2016, public indecency in 2007, driving under the influence in 2009, 2016, 2017 and unlawful contact in 2016. It is also noted that he has been convicted of multiple probation violations. 

Daniels has “in-state only” warrants for his arrest in Utah for felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor harassing communications and misdemeanor property damage in May 2021. 

During his November arraignment, District Court Judge William Simpson said of Daniel’s criminal history, “Obviously this is a painful case because I am aware of some of the action that has been taken.” Simpson urged Daniels to understand the severity of his situation, to get help and comply with probation requirements before reducing his bond from $10,000 cash to $10,000 cash or surety. 

“So,Ben, there’s a lot riding on this and it all depends on you,” Simpson said. “And I know you’ve had responsible jobs but you can’t drink for the rest of your life, do you understand?”

Daniels must meet with his public defender Travis Smith three times a week, attend counseling and wear an ankle monitor. Simpson asked Daniels’ father and fiancé to call Daniels once a day and twice a day respectively to check on his welfare, in conjunction with the bond agency. He may not leave the house outside of legal, counseling or medical appointments. 

Simpson asked Daniels to state on the record if he understood the consequences of violating these probationary terms

“I know I will go away for a long time and never get out,” Daniels said. “There’s a chance of that.”

Future court dates have not been scheduled.