Idaho Sen. John McGee spent Father’s Day in the Ada County Jail.

He was arrested on charges of grand theft and drunken driving after what witnesses said was bizarre behavior and statements early Sunday morning.

It remains unclear what effect the incident will have on his promising political career.

McGee is embarrassed by his arrest, his attorney, Scott McKay, told The Associated Press late Sunday. McGee is confident in the justice system and will handle the situation responsibly, McKay said.

Idaho Senate Pro Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, urged caution Sunday afternoon. “We really don't know the circumstances,” Hill said. “We need to hear both sides. Our concern right now is for Senator McGee and his wife and children and the effect this may have on their family.” McGee, 38, was scheduled to make an initial court appearance Monday afternoon.

Tracey Carleton said her two teenage sons woke her up about 2 a.m. Sunday, saying a drunk man had jack-knifed the neighbor’s Ford Excursion and a 20-foot trailer in their large south Boise yard. The man had wandered around the property, up and down the road and eventually went to sleep in the vehicle’s back seat.

Another vehicle and trailer on the Carleton’s property were damaged along with the neighbor’s Excursion and trailer, she said.

Carleton said her husband, Joe, a volunteer chaplain at the Ada County Jail, went outside to speak with the barefooted man, who said he was looking for the “promised land.” When he saw Tracey Carleton in her white bathrobe on the front porch, he said, “Look there’s an angel,” she said. Then the Carletons called police.

“This man was hallucinating,” Tracey Carleton said. “His legs were cut up. He had some gouges on his leg.”

Carleton said McGee gave deputies no trouble as they took him into custody.

Ada County sheriff’s deputies later identified the man as John McGee. Dep­uties said McGee had begun drinking at a golf course at about 10 p.m. Saturday. At some point, McGee left the clubhouse on foot, eventually coming upon a parked truck and trailer about three houses down from the Carleton’s.

Deputies arrived at the scene at 3 a.m. and found McGee in the truck. McGee told depu­ties he was headed to Jackpot, Nev. McGee was taken to the Ada County Jail where he registered a blood alcohol content of .15 on a breath test, nearly twice the legal limit of .08. He was booked into the jail at 4:27 a.m. Sunday.

McGee has served as a senator for Idaho’s 10th District since 2004. He was elected Senate Majority Cau­cus chairman in December, leaving the chairmanship of the Transportation Committee, where he championed Gov. Butch Otter’s failed efforts to raise fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees for transportation spend­ing.

A former aide to Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, McGee has been mentioned frequently as a candidate for higher office, including governor. He is the chairman of the Canyon County GOP.

Kathleen Kreller: 377-6418. Dan Popkey also contributed.