Cape man pleads not guilty to DWI, fleeing police

A Cape Girardeau man accused of trying to help a fugitive escape arrest pleaded not guilty Monday to two felony charges.

Eddie Kent was charged with driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest or detention by fleeing in connection with a February incident in which Cape Girardeau police officers said he tried to help his son, Eric Kent of Jonesboro, Ark., avoid arrest.

Eddie Kent appeared in court Monday. He waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case was continued to June 10, when Judge Benjamin Lewis also will consider whether to revoke Eddie Kent's probation on a 2010 DWI case.

Eric Kent was wanted on Arkansas warrants for possession of methamphetamine, kidnapping, aggravated assault and theft.

During a preliminary hearing last month, three Cape Girardeau police officers described the Feb. 14 pursuit in which Eddie Kent is accused of fleeing from police with his son and a female passenger after officers -- acting on a tip that Eric Kent might be staying with his father -- went to Eddie Kent's residence at 2640 Hopper Road, No. 14.

An officer spotted a red pickup truck parked outside Eddie Kent's home. After searching the area for Eric Kent, the officer noticed the truck was gone, located it and followed it, suspecting Eric Kent might be inside.

The officer testified last month he pulled the truck over on Cape Rock Drive, and the driver fled in the vehicle, eventually ending up boxed in by traffic at an intersection, where police arrested Eddie and Eric Kent.

In 2005, Eddie Kent was convicted of driving while intoxicated and driving while his license was suspended, and in 2007, he was sentenced to 10 days in county jail for driving on a suspended license.

In 2010, he was convicted of DWI and driving while his license was revoked. He received a suspended sentence of four years in prison and was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail and placed on five years of supervised probation.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

2640 Hopper Road, No. 14, Cape Girardeau, Mo.