BUCKFIELD – A Buckfield man remained locked up Tuesday night on charges of drunken driving, threatening to kill a deputy and possessing drugs in jail.

Dale J. Bennett, 23, of 518 Streaked Mountain Road was driving an ATV Sunday morning on Route 117 when he was stopped by Cpl. Brian Landis of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office. After administering field sobriety tests, Landis arrested Bennett on a charge of operating under the influence and operating an ATV on a public way.

While driving to the Oxford County Jail in Paris, Landis said Bennett began spitting at him through the grate separating the back and front seats of the cruiser. He said Bennett also threatened to kill him.

Bennett was charged with assault for the spitting, rather than assault on an officer because that charge was likely to be argued down in court, the corporal said.

“I’ve had worse,” he added.

Bennett was charged with terrorizing for the threat.

At the jail, Bennett refused to take any sobriety tests and was admitted to a holding cell. During the booking process, officers found two Trazodone pills wrapped in cigarette cellophane in his pants pocket.

Trazodone is an antidepressant medication. Landis said possession prescription drugs without a prescription container made out to the owner is illegal so Bennett was also charged with trafficking in prison contraband.

He is being held on $2,000 bail.