By: Luke Matheson
A Jessieville man was arrested for a fourth offense of Driving While Intoxicated following a traffic stop in Desha County on September 20.
According to a press release Deputy Austin Freeman initiated a traffic stop on a 2019 Ford Ranger pickup truck, being driven by 54-year-old David Johnson of Jessieville at 11:15 p.m. Upon making contact with the driver, Deputy Freeman smelled an odor of intoxicants emitting from the vehicle. He also observed an interlock device inside the vehicle.
Once Freeman confirmed that Johnson’s license was restricted for the use of the interlock device, Freeman returned to the vehicle where Johnson admitted to drinking and advised that he had a sober person to blow into the interlock device so that he could start his vehicle.
Freeman then performed field sobriety tests on Johnson and eventually placed him under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated, then transported him to the Dumas City Jail, where he took a breath test.
Once at the jail it was discovered that Johnson had four previous convictions for Driving While Intoxicated. One of those was beyond the 10-year lookback period. However, Johnson was charged a second time with DWI 4th offense (felony) and Tampering with Ignition Interlock Device.
