By Crystal Garcia
CLINTON — An actor from the former nighttime television series “Dallas” was arrested Tuesday evening in downtown Clinton.
Ken Kercheval, 71, who played Cliff Barnes on the TV show was preliminarily charged with operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more, police said.
Kercheval of Granada Hills, Calif. registered 0.09 percent, police said. He was taken to the Vermillion County Jail in Newport, police said.
No formal charges have been filed, said Vermillion County Prosecutor Nina Alexander, while she checks Kercheval’s past record. The charge could be filed as a felony if he has a prior conviction.
Alexander has contacted the California Bureau of Motor Vehicles and is waiting for further information.
There is no record of prior DUI convictions in Indiana for Kercheval, she said.
He posted bail at the jail and is due back in court Sept. 18.
If a felony charge is filed, he must appear in court, but Alexander anticipates he would request a 30- to 60-day continuance.
“That’s a routine request and I suspect it will be granted,” she said.
If he returns within that time frame, she doesn’t have any objection to a continuance.
Clinton Police Chief Bruce Stewart said when Kercheval was arrested, he was very cooperative.
Kercheval was born in Wolcottville and grew up in Clinton. He appeared in 58 episodes of “Dallas” during the popular show’s run from 1978 to 1991.
Stewart said he visits Clinton once or twice a year.
Tribune-Star staff reporter Sue Loughlin contributed to this story.
Crystal Garcia can be reached at (812) 231-4271 or crystal.garcia@tribstar.com.
