Sen. Crapo of Idaho admits drunk driving

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ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Michael Crapo, R-Idaho, was given a suspended sentence Friday for driving drunk in Alexandria, Va.

Crapo apologized after his guilty plea, The Washington Post reported, saying he and other officeholders should be "held to a higher standard." A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he also said he violated the tenets of his faith.

A judge sentenced Crapo to 180 days in jail but then suspended the sentence. He was also ordered to pay a $250 fine and his driving license was suspended for a year although he could apply for a restricted license.

Crapo, speaking to reporters after the hearing, admitted he had been keeping liquor in his apartment in Washington because of stress. He said he drank several vodka and tonics the night he was arrested in December and then went for a drive because he was restless.

He was pulled over by a police officer in Alexandria who said he ran a red light. His blood alcohol level tested at 0.11, while the legal limit in Virginia is 0.08.