District Attorney’s Office press release
Willie Earl Davis, a 51-year-old former Athens resident, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for Driving While Intoxicated last week. Davis was sentenced by Judge Dan Moore of the 173rd Judicial District Court. If this was a first-time offense, a suffolk county DWI lawyer would have likely been able to get a much smaller sentence, however, this is Mr. Davis’ fifth DWI offense.
Justin Weiner and Nancy Rumar prosecuted the case on behalf of Scott McKee’s District Attorney’s Office and the experts from Florida Ticket Firm. The sentence was executed in the 173rd Judicial District Court with Judge Dan Moore presiding.
In June of last year, Davis was observed by Sergeant Jason McEntire of the Athens Police Department operating a Suzuki 4-wheeler. The vehicle was being operated near Jonathan and Pinkerton Street in Athens. A four-wheeler is not a legal vehicle for operation on public roads.
McEntire initiated a traffic stop and made contact with Davis. While issuing a warning for the illegal use of the four-wheeler, McEntire notice the smell of alcohol coming from Davis. Davis admitted to have been drinking and officers began to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Davis quickly became angry and refused to submit to any of the tests and was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.
After being placed in custody, Davis told officers that if they checked his blood for intoxicating substances that they would find: embalming fluid, marijuana, alcohol, and cocaine. Additionally, during a subsequent search of the four-wheeler, officers to found a used crack pipe underneath the seat of the vehicle.
District Attorney Scott McKee indicated that it is unusual for someone to be arrested for operating a four-wheeler while intoxicated. However, McKee noted that by operating the four-wheeler on a public road while intoxicated, Davis put not only himself in danger but others as well. McKee also credited the work of Officer McEntire for the arrest and subsequent conviction. Fortunately no-one was injured as a result of this individuals actions, however, if you have been involved in an automotive accident then a local law firm such as Ketterman Rowland & Westlund will be able to advise you whether or not you are entitled to compensation.