SALT LAKE CITY, UT — A man with a troubling history of DUIs has managed to avoid jail time due to a critical error by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, leading to his release and subsequent flight to Atlanta. Brady Snelgrove, 44, was arrested on March 2, suspected of driving under the influence for the sixth time. Despite his lengthy criminal record, which includes a prior felony conviction for DUI, Snelgrove was granted a release that many legal experts find astonishing, especially given the severity of his past offenses.
Following his arrest, Snelgrove took to social media to boast about his freedom, sharing a local news article and claiming he was “free as a bird.” His release, which came with a $1,000 bail, sparked confusion among legal professionals. DUI attorney Josh Egan expressed his disbelief, pointing out that in cases involving repeat offenders like Snelgrove, bail is typically set much higher or denied altogether. “This was a mistake that should not have happened,” Egan said.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill admitted that the mistake was made within his office, emphasizing that it was an error during the screening process. “We looked at it and I reached out to our screening unit. We are making sure this doesn’t happen again,” Gill explained. He assured the public that his office is taking steps to prevent similar oversights, especially in cases involving felony DUIs.
Snelgrove’s criminal history raised alarms from the very beginning. According to the police report, Sandy officers expressed concern about the danger Snelgrove posed, noting that he had shown little remorse for his actions. One officer even stated that Snelgrove was “going to kill someone” due to his reckless behavior behind the wheel. Despite this, Snelgrove was granted bail after an initial appearance on March 10, and he was released without having to pay the $1,000 bond.
It wasn’t until Snelgrove missed a court appearance on March 14 that the mistake became apparent. The following day, he posted on Facebook, revealing that he had left the state and was heading to Atlanta. In a letter to the court, it was confirmed that Snelgrove had entered a rehabilitation facility in Georgia, but his legal troubles were far from over.
As of Monday night, the arrest warrant for Snelgrove remains active, and authorities are working to extradite him back to Utah once he completes his rehabilitation. Snelgrove is facing a host of charges, including felony DUI, and if convicted, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison, along with various fines and penalties.
The case has raised questions about the procedures in place for handling repeat offenders, particularly in situations where the individual’s history suggests they pose a serious threat to public safety. With Snelgrove’s flight from the state, the legal system’s failure to prevent his release has left many concerned about the consequences of such an oversight.