A corrections officer who worked at a detention facility in Tennessee was arrested when the way he was driving caught the attention of a trooper who believed he was intoxicated.
On August 16, a man who was a lieutenant at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility was driving a Chevrolet Sonic down a highway in Vonore when he found himself accused of being on the wrong side of the law. A trooper from the Tennessee Highway Patrol noticed his vehicle and believed he was driving faster than the posted speed limit. They also felt he was operating the car unsafely by failing to stay in his designated lane.
The trooper performed a traffic stop, and the man pulled over without incident. When they began to interact, the trooper thought it smelled like alcohol in the vehicle. He also reported that the driver displayed several indicators of intoxication. When he was asked about the situation, the man chose to exercise his right to remain silent. Additionally, he chose not to participate in roadside sobriety testing.
When the vehicle was searched, open cans of Lime-A-Rita were reportedly found under the driver’s seat and in the center console. It was reported that approximately 20 cans and a 9mm pistol were also in the car.
The man was taken into custody, and he had his blood drawn for testing. He is facing preliminary charges of driving under the influence, possession of a handgun while under the influence, resisting stop/arrest, an open container law violation, and an implied consent law violation. It was reported that the officer, who has worked with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office for 11 years, resigned from his position on the same day he was arrested.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.