Henderson cop wants to negotiate DUI case

A Henderson police officer charged with driving under the influence and heading the wrong way down U.S. Highway 95 wants to work out a deal with prosecutors, his lawyer said Thursday.

Joseph Lawrance faces 10 counts, including DUI, refusing to stop for a police officer, obstructing a police officer, reckless driving and possession of a firearm when under the influence of alcohol.

Prosecutors said the 31-year-old lead Nevada Highway Patrol troopers on a high-speed chase last week after he was reported driving the wrong way on U.S. Highway 95 near Durango Drive. As troopers pursued Lawrance, he ran a red light and drove the wrong way on other streets.

“He wants to get it behind him,” Lawrance’s attorney, Josh Tomsheck, said Thursday. “He wants to do the responsible thing.”

Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Suzan Baucum is expected to hear the negotiations Monday.

Results of a blood test released Thursday revealed Lawrance’s blood-alcohol level was 0.185 percent, more than twice the legal limit to drive, prosecutor Brian Rutledge said. Authorities were awaiting the results of drug tests, and Rutledge said he would continue reviewing dashboard camera footage from the chase.

Lawrance initially refused to follow orders from troopers, who fired a Taser stun gun at Lawrance but missed, the prosecutor said.

Troopers found a loaded gun and hundreds of prescription pills inside Lawrance’s Toyota Tundra, along with an open bottle of whiskey.

Tomsheck has called the incident “an aberration.” Lawrance is being held without bail in the Clark County Detention Center.

Lawrance was a sergeant for the College of Southern Nevada police before joining the Henderson police department in 2012, according to public employee payroll records.

Lawrance was on paid administrative leave, according to Henderson officials.

Contact reporter David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker.