If you are pulled over for driving while intoxicated in Texas this holiday season, do not be surprised if the police ask for your blood if you refuse to take a breath test. A Houston blood warrant may be sought by law enforcement after a breath test is refused.
Texas "No Refusal" Program in Effect Over Holidays
Intoxicated Man Arrested After Trying To Help A Deer
According to witnesses, a car hit a deer and the occupants of the car picked it up and then left the scene. The car believed to be involved in the accident was later spotted by local police with damage consistent with hitting a deer. The police then questioned the driver, Andrew Caswell, who stated that he was transporting the deer to a local hospital. Police say Caswell showed signs of intoxication and was later charged with DWI. An analysis of his breath later showed that Caswell had a blood alcohol content of .16. To read more on this story please go to http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S2423806.shtml?cat=566
Man Kills Himself Before Teen Solicitation Sentencing
John Martynus was arrested after exchanging sexually explicit messages with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. The girl was actually an undercover police officer posing as a teen girl. Martynus plead guilty to the charge of solicitation of a minor and was facing a maximum of 5 years in prison. Martynus informed the judge that he learned of Martynus' death through his father. To read more on this story please go to http://plainfield.patch.com/articles/plainfield-man-commits-suicide-before-sentencing-for-soliciting-sex-from-teen
Drunk Driver Kills Good Samaritan
Lydia Martinez Mejia has been charged with intoxication manslaughter following a fatal accident. According to police, she was drunk when she drove over a man that had just been struck by a car and she then hit a good samaritan who was tending to the injured citizen. The victim survived for a short time after the accident, but he was not able to recover from his injuries. The victim, Luis Turcios, leaves behind a family of five children. To read more on this story please go to http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Driver-who-killed-good-Samaritan-was-drunk-2399677.php
Teen Arrested With 1.38 Kilograms Of Cocaine
Brielle Latoi Orridge, of New York, was arrested at Bush Intercontinental Airport with 1.38 kilograms of cocaine. Orridge was on a flight from Jamaica headed to New York City when customs officials decided to search her luggage. Customs officials found the cocaine located inside of her shoes. Orridge has been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver more than 500 grams of cocaine. To read more on this story please go to http://www.khou.com/home/US-Attorney-New-York-teen-caught-with-138-kilograms-of-cocaine-at-Bush-IAH-135892173.html
Youth Minister Charged With Online Solicitation Of Minor
Chad Foster, who was arrested on rape charges in November, has now also been charged with online solicitation of a minor. The new case involves a 14-year-old girl that Foster met when he was a youth pastor at an area church. The teen told police they began exchanging texts and eventually Foster began exposing himself to her over the internet. Foster is currently a free man after posting a bond on the new case. To read more on this story please go to http://www.khou.com/news/crime/Youth-minister-accused-of-raping-teen-now-charged-with-online-solicitation-of-a-minor-135694178.html
Man Gets 55 Years For DWI
Michael Smith was arrested in January 2011 and charged with his 8th DWI. Police received a call about a possible drunk driver and eventually located Smith driving erratically. A beer can allegedly fell out of Smith's van when he opened the door and another beer was found in the back seat. Smith's blood alcohol content was reportedly a .24 at the time of his arrest. Smith was recently found guilty after a jury trial and was sentenced to 55 years in prison. To read more on this story please go to http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/8th-DWI-Conviction-Brings-Long-Sentence-121611
Texas Company Releases Home Breath-Alcohol Monitoring Device
An Irving, Texas, company Smart Start, Inc., recently announced the release of its new "IN-HOM" breath-alcohol monitoring system. Texas DWI penalties can include jail time, loss of a driver's license and increased auto insurance premiums. The new product is being marketed as an alternative to incarceration.
Man Charged With DWI Following Crash
Joshua Mauro has been charged with DWI following a crash that sent his car into a store front window. Witnesses say that Mauro hopped a curb and then drove into the business. Mauro was pulled from the car by some concerned citizens and according to them, suffered some serious injuries. Police believe that the accident was caused due to Mauro's level of intoxication and he was later charged with DWI. To read more on this story please go to http://hampton-northhampton.patch.com/articles/man-charged-with-dwi-after-crashing-into-store
City Planning Commissioner Arrested
Bryan Martin, a member of the Portland Planning Commission, has been arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor. Authorities began investigating Martin after receiving a complaint about his behavior online. Martin at some point allegedly attempted to solicit sex from an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl. A search warrant was later served on Martin and evidence was seized from his home. To read more on this story please go to http://www.caller.com/news/2011/dec/09/portland-planning-commissioner-charged-with-of-a/
City Planning Commissioner Arrested
Bryan Martin, a member of the Portland Planning Commission, has been arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor. Authorities began investigating Martin after receiving a complaint about his behavior online. Martin at some point allegedly attempted to solicit sex from an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl. A search warrant was later served on Martin and evidence was seized from his home. To read more on this story please go to http://www.caller.com/news/2011/dec/09/portland-planning-commissioner-charged-with-of-a/
Alcohol Related Crash Ends In Death
Liliana Yamileth Zuniga has been arrested and charged with the offense of intoxication manslaughter. Police say that Zuniga lost control of her SUV and slammed into a concrete barrier. A 6-year-old child, who was not properly restrained, was thrown from the vehicle and later died. Five other passengers in the vehicle were transported to a local hospital and were treated for non-life threatening injuries. Police believe that alcohol played a part in the fatal accident. To read more on this story please go to http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8464092
Houston Man Charged With Sexual Assault of a Child
A Houston man has been charged with sexual assault of a child after his sexual relationship with a teenager was discovered by her parents and reported to police. If convicted, he will face a possible sentence of two to 20 years in prison.
