Woman Found Guilty of Driving Under the Influence of a Drug in South Monterey County

 

SALINAS, California—Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on May 31, 2022 that on May 25, 2022, a jury convicted 35-year-old Rebecca Nicole Stein of Orange County of

driving under the influence of a drug. After the verdict, Stein admitted that she has a prior DUI

conviction from 2021. The Honorable Jared A. Jefferson sentenced her to 90 days in jail and

placed her on informal probation for 5-years. During the period of probation, she must complete

an 18-month multiple offender treatment program, install an ignition interlock device in any

vehicle she owns or operates for one year, obey all laws, and she must not use or possess alcohol

or drugs.

On October 1, 2021, at 7:10 am, officers from the Camp Roberts Military base called dispatch

because a suspect was blocking a military facility area gate on Corps Road, just south of Bradley

Road, in South Monterey County. Officers from the California Highway Patrol responded to

the location and contacted the suspect, later identified as Rebecca Nicole Stein. Stein told the

officers that she was driving from Marina to San Luis Obispo when she heard someone get their

neck snapped and then get dragged up the hill, and she stopped to help. The officers performed a

cursory search of the area. Nothing was found that substantiated her claims.

The investigating officer suspected that Stein was under the influence of a drug based on her

objective signs and symptoms of intoxication. During the investigation, Stein admitted that she

snorted and smoked methamphetamine and ingested bath salt that she said can “make her crazy.”

The officer administered several Field Sobriety Tests, and Stein’s performance on each test was

unsatisfactory. After her arrest, a blood test revealed that she had methamphetamine, amphetamine,

and trazodone in her system.

This case was prosecuted by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office specialized DUI

Vertical Prosecution Unit. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California

Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.