Daily Staff Writer

The chairman of Iowa State’s entomology department was arrested early Wednesday morning for operating while intoxicated, according to Ames police records.

Thomas Charles Baker, 48, of 1724 Meadowlane Ave., was stopped at East 13th Street and Meadowlane Avenue about 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Baker was arrested and cited for first-offense operating while intoxicated, the police report said.

He was taken to the Ames City Jail and released at 6:30 a.m.

The maximum penalty for first-offense drunken driving is a prison term of one year and a fine of $1,000.

Dan Gonnerman, assistant Story County attorney, said Baker likely will receive the mandatory minimum sentence — a $500 fine and two days in jail with credit for time served.

John McCarroll, director of University Relations, said it was not likely that ISU would take any disciplinary action.

“There would be nothing we’d have to say about that,” he said. “There’s no indication this has anything to do with the university.”