COD Trustee Rubén Pérez Arrested for DUI

Rubén Pérez to appear in court on June 20

LA QUINTA — College of the Desert Trustee Rubén Pérez, 29, was arrested on Feb. 10 for driving under the influence and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center.

Officers of the La Quinta Police Department arrested Pérez at 12:49 a.m. at Avenue 52 and SilverRock Way, according to jail records. Authorities told Uken Report he would not necessarily have had to bail out. “He would have been given the citation and released after he sobered up.”

Pérez was alone when the incident occurred, according to authorities. No other vehicles were involved. He refused to answer any questions, instead referring all of them to his attorney, according to authorities.

According to authorities familiar with the incident, Pérez was in the opposite lane of vehicle traffic flow, with his lights off and allegedly passed out. His blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, according to those familiar with the incident.

“A few weeks ago, I made a terrible mistake of which I am truly sorry,” Perez told Uken Report in a text message. “I’d like to sincerely apologize to my family, friends and community. I will do everything in my power to learn and grow from this.”

The true cost of a DUI in California is an estimated $45,435 — for a first-time offense, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which includes DUI classes, court costs, fines and attorney’s fees, increase in car insurance, towing and storage,

He is scheduled to appear in court at the Larson Justice Center at 7:30 a.m. on June 20.

A first offense DUI in California is a misdemeanor typically punished by three to five years of probation, $390 to $1000.00 in fines plus penalty assessments, DUI school, a 6-month driver’s license suspension, and installation of an ignition interlock device. Some counties also impose a short amount of jail time or work release.

Pérez represents Trustee Area 1, which covers the eastern Coachella Valley. He sought re-election in November 2022 and won re-election to a second term.

In addition to being a COD Trustee, Pérez works as a state employee for Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. Pérez is, of course, the son of Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez.

The news comes as COD Trustee Pérez is also the subject of a possible censure.

Joel Kinnamon, who represents Trustee Area 4 on the College of the Desert Board of Trustees, has filed a complaint on behalf of district constituents and himself asking Board Chair Bonnie Stefan to place an item on the next board meeting to start a censure process against Pérez for his violations that occurred on the board’s dais, and other more recent actions that he believes, violated board policies.

Pérez made the questionable comments during the December board meeting when new and returning trustees were sworn in.

Listen yourself.