Oneida County dispatcher arrested for alleged intoxication at work

An Oneida County dispatcher was arrested by the Rhinelander Police Department on Jan. 8 after driving to work under the influence. Nicole Lea, 53, of Eagle River, is also the wife of Three Lakes police chief Scott Lea.

According to a written statement by Oneida County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Terri Hook, captain Jake Simkins contacted her that day with the concern of Lea being intoxicated at work.

Hook said she and Simkins went into the dispatch center to observe Lea while she responded to a call. 

“Nicole’s speech was thick and she was not using the correct words at times,” she wrote in her statement. “She did not look well. I was aware that Nicole has been having medical problems that have not been diagnosed yet.”

Once more dispatchers arrived, Hook said Lea was asked to speak with her and Simkins. 

Lea, according to Hook’s statement, said she was fine when asked how she was doing that day and that she had been having trouble sleeping. 

Hook said she asked Lea if she had taken any medicine before coming into work. Lea said she was prescribed a medicine that made it difficult for her to sleep. 

Lea was asked when she drank alcohol last. Lea replied, saying it was the day before when she had last drank and agreed to take a blood alcohol test.  

Hook said the result of that test showed Lea having a 0.21 percent blood alcohol level. 

“She told us again she had not drank since yesterday,” Hook said. “I told her that I had to make some phone calls and I would come back to tell her what was happening next.”

Hook contacted the Rhinelander Police Department for an investigation conducted by a separate law enforcement agency.

Rhinelander police interviewed Lea and, according to a supplemental narrative report filed by officer Graeme Biskobing, her eyes appeared “bloodshot” and “glossy.” She also appeared to be “unsteady on her feet” and emitted an odor of “intoxicants.”

Lea told investigators she had “half of a box of wine” around 10 p.m. the night before, but she had nothing to drink on Jan. 8 prior to work at around 4:30 p.m.

Investigators conducted different tests used to indicate if someone is intoxicated or not. They then had Lea take another blood alcohol test, which came back showing a 0.178 percent blood alcohol level. 

At that point, officers arrested Lea and transported her to a local medical center for a blood test. 

Additionally, investigators had located an open container of wine in Lea’s vehicle — for which she received a verbal warning. 

A mandatory court hearing for Lea is scheduled in the Oneida County Courthouse at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 9 for operating while intoxicated, first offense. 

Trevor Greene may be reached via email at [email protected].