COD trustee pleads not guilty to second DUI

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - An attorney for College of the Desert Trustee Ruben Perez entered a not guilty plea on his behalf Thursday to a second DUI case, and Perez is due back in court later this month.

Perez was not present for the arraignment at the Larson Justice Center.

In court, the judge laid out the allegations, saying Perez was pulled over in Palm Desert in May because his lights were not on and that there was alcohol in the car.

Perez is the former chief of staff to Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez, and son of Riverside County Supervisor Manuel Perez.

It is his second DUI case since 2023. Perez was arrested in La Quinta in February of that year and pleaded guilty the following spring. He was sentenced to four days in custody, to be served through a work release program.

In May, Perez said he was taking a leave of absence from his public duties and entering treatment for alcoholism and depression.

Perez has not been convicted in the current case. He is due back in court Aug. 24.