Miss Washington USA forfeits crown over DUI conviction

Former Miss Washington USA Stormy Keffeler resigned her position last week due to legal troubles she failed to disclose to pageant officials.

Keffeler, 23, grew up competing in pageants, and has won countless titles over the years. After graduating from Monroe High School in 2010, she attended Olympic College in Bremerton briefly before transitioning to professional football with the Legends Football League. Keffeler played professional football with the Seattle Mist for three years before leaving the team in early 2015 to pursue her dream of becoming Miss Washington USA.

She was crowned Miss Washington USA on Oct. 18.-á

Pageant official Maureen Francisco confirmed the resignation in a Facebook post on Thursday, Jan. 14:

"We can confirm the resignation of Stormy Keffeler as Miss Washington USA. Effective immediately, first runner-up Kelsey Schmidt will assume the title of Miss Washington USA 2016 and represent the state at the Miss USA event later this year. We wish Stormy well in her future endeavors.GÇ¥

Keffeler's resignation came after the Miss Washington USA pageant was made aware of a DUI incident that occurred on April 7, 2015, in Seattle. According to court documents, Keffeler had a blood alcohol level of .22, which is nearly three times the legal limit. She pleaded guilty to DUI on Sept. 15, 2015; one month before winning the pageant.

Keffeler was ordered to pay a penalty of $1,196 and serve two days in jail. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a gross misdemeanor.-á

Attempts by the Monroe Monitor to contact Keffeler for comment were unsuccessful.