A St. Lucie County, Florida judge who oversees substance abuse cases in the state’s 19th Circuit Court, was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Judge Brett Waronicki, 46, was pulled over in Jensen Beach this week after an officer observed him swerving in and out of lanes.
As Waronicki was driving his Ford F-150, he failed to “to maintain a single lane and was striking the fog line multiple times,” according to the arrest affidavit.
According to the arrest report, “When speaking with Waronicki, (a detective) observed him to have bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath.”
WPTV reported that police received a tip about alleged drug activity involving Judge Waronicki a few weeks ago.
The Martin County Sheriff’s undercover Narcotics unit was investigating Waronicki for weeks before the arrest.
A canine was brought out to search the F-150 truck and a subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the judge being in possession of what appeared to be cocaine residue in his wallet.
Two other passengers in the vehicle were cited for possession of cocaine.
Judge Waronicki refused a field sobriety test and refused a breathalyzer because he said he did nothing wrong.
WPTV reported:
A Treasure Coast judge is facing charges after he was arrested Wednesday night in Martin County.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said that 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida Judge Brett Waronicki was one of the three people arrested in a traffic stop in Jensen Beach.
Waronicki, 46, faces charges of possession of paraphernalia and DUI refusal, the sheriff’s office said.
The county’s public information officer said Waronicki was the driver of the vehicle when it was pulled over at 10:41 p.m. at Northwest Jensen Beach Boulevard and Northwest Royal Oak Drive.
A probable cause affidavit said law enforcement pulled over Waronicki after the Ford F-150 he was driving failed “to maintain a single lane and was striking the fog line multiple times.”
More on this story and police body cam footage from WPTV News:
Read the full article here
