On 10-20-18 at just before 12:30 a.m., Detention Sergeant Brad Collito was conducting a security check along the outside perimeter of the Hernando County Detention Center when he observed a 2017 red Chevrolet Impala enter the parking lot.
Sergeant Collito immediately noted that the driver was operating the vehicle in an erratic fashion while pulling into the lot. After a few moments, the driver parked across two parking spaces.
The driver of the Impala, later identified as Joseph Cartagena, got out of the vehicle and began to urinate, in plain sight of the deputies who were in the parking.
Sergeant Collito and Deputy Victor Latty immediately made contact with Cartagena. Both deputies observed Cartagena to be unsteady on his feet. Cartagena quickly began making spontaneous statements about coming from numerous bars and an ethnic festival, in the area.
A Traffic Unit was requested to respond to the scene to conduct a DUI investigation.
Deputy Aaron Cochrane arrived on scene and observed Cartagena to have bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his breath. Deputy Cochrane noted that Cartagena was unable to stand without assistance and was “constantly falling over.”
Deputy Cochrane made the decision that it would be unsafe for Cartagena to perform Field Sobriety Exercises due to his obvious impairment, along with his advanced age. Based on the totality of circumstances on scene, Deputy Cochrane placed Cartagena under arrest and took him inside the detention center.
Once inside, Cartagena submitted to a breathalyzer test for the purpose of determining the alcohol concentration in his system.
As per protocol, Cartagena provided two breath samples, which were .207 and .208 BAC.
Joseph John Cartagena W/M DOB/0702-1941 was charged with Driving Under the Influence. His bond was set at $1,000.
Submitted by Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
