Iowa Judge's Blood Alcohol Level Was 4 Times Legal Limit During Arrest, Records Show

By John Damon | Just The News Iowa

Newly released records and body camera footage reveal that an Iowa judge had a blood alcohol content between four and five times the legal limit when she was arrested for operating while intoxicated in November 2025. The case raises serious questions about accountability for public officials and the handling of judicial misconduct in Iowa.

A crime lab analyst's report, released Wednesday after the judge dropped a lawsuit to block its disclosure, shows that Boone County District Judge Adria Kester's blood alcohol level was 0.25% six hours after her arrest. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations concluded it had been between 0.31% and 0.40% when she was driving. The legal limit in Iowa is 0.08%.

What Happened the Night of the Arrest

On the evening of November 4, 2025, two drivers called 911 to report a truck slowly rolling in the wrong direction on U.S. 30 near Ogden. One caller said the driver was hunched over the wheel. The truck eventually rolled into the grassy median and stopped.

Body camera footage from Boone County sheriff's deputies shows Kester refusing to answer questions, falling asleep multiple times, and cursing at a deputy. When a nurse tried to help, Kester stared blankly and did not respond. The nurse ultimately climbed through a back window to shift the vehicle into park.

Deputies found a cup containing what smelled like a wine cooler in the passenger seat. Kester swayed when standing and needed assistance walking. At one point, she told a deputy to “(expletive) off” when he tried to prevent her from falling.

Judge's Blood Alcohol Content Revealed

Case records previously released had not disclosed Kester's blood alcohol content. The DCI report, obtained by the Des Moines Register, shows that hospital staff drew three vials of blood from Kester about six hours after her arrest. The analysis showed a 0.25% level, with the DCI expert estimating it was between 0.31% and 0.40% at the time of driving.

Boone County Sheriff's Sgt. Seth McCrae wrote in an incident report that he was informed Kester's initial blood alcohol was 0.41% at the hospital. Sheriff Andy Godzicki told the Register he believes hospital staff tested her blood.

Judge Drops Lawsuit to Block Records

Kester initially filed a lawsuit in May to prevent the sheriff's office from releasing records related to her arrest. She claimed the documents would reveal a medical issue protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, after reviewing the investigative records, it remains unclear what medical issue she was referring to.

In a statement Tuesday, Kester said she now believes the public has a right to see the footage and evidence. “I cannot ask others to be accountable while trying to decide which parts of my own story people are allowed to see,” she said. “Some of those records may capture me at my very worst. I cannot change that, and I am no longer trying to.”

Kester also said she is still working with physicians to determine if a medical problem explains what happened. “Releasing those records does not mean every question about that night has been answered, including questions I continue to work through with my physicians,” she wrote.

What Happens Next for Judge Kester

Kester, 56, pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated in December. She has been suspended with pay since her arrest while the Iowa Judicial Qualifications Commission investigates. State Court Administrator Robert Gast confirmed Wednesday that the investigation is ongoing. The judicial branch does not have the authority to suspend a judge without pay during an investigation, he said.

In her statement, Kester expressed regret. “Wearing a judicial robe means more than applying the law correctly — it means earning the public's trust every day,” she said. “My actions that night fell short of that responsibility, and I am deeply sorry to the people I served, to my colleagues, and to everyone who expected better judgment from someone entrusted with that office.”

The case highlights the importance of accountability for public officials in Iowa. While Kester has acknowledged her wrongdoing, questions remain about how a judge could reach such a dangerous level of intoxication while driving on a major highway. The Judicial Qualifications Commission's final decision will determine whether she returns to the bench or faces more severe discipline.

FAQ: Iowa Judge OWI Case

What was Judge Adria Kester's blood alcohol level?

According to a DCI crime lab report, Kester's blood alcohol level was 0.25% six hours after her arrest. The DCI expert estimated it was between 0.31% and 0.40% when she was driving, which is four to five times the legal limit of 0.08%.

Why did Judge Kester initially try to block the records?

Kester filed a lawsuit in May claiming the records would reveal a medical issue protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. She later dropped the lawsuit, saying the public has a right to see the evidence from her arrest.

What happened to Kester after her arrest?

Kester pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated in December 2025. She has been suspended with pay since her arrest while the Iowa Judicial Qualifications Commission investigates. The commission's decision will determine her future on the bench.