A Howey-in-the-Hills man told Leesburg police that he had “blown hundreds of times” and there was no way he would blow .07 or exceed the legal intoxication limit.
Leesburg officers observed a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Jesse L. Graham early Sunday morning in the turn lane in the 900 block of South 14th Street. Graham made several lane violations as the officers followed him before they initiated a traffic stop.
When an officer made contact with Graham, the officer detected the odor of alcohol on Graham’s breath. Graham told the officer he had only consumed two beers a few hours earlier.
“I’m straight,” he claimed.
The officer noted in his report that Graham was vigorously chewing a piece of gum, was nervous and crossed his arms while answering questions regarding his alcohol consumption.
Graham performed poorly on the standardized field sobriety exercises and was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. While being booked at the Leesburg Police Department, he declined to provide a breath sample saying there was no way he was above the legal limit.
Graham told the officer he “had blown hundreds of times and there was no way he would blow .07 or whatever was the legal limit,” according to the report.
He was transported to the Lake County Jail on charges of driving under the influence and refusing to provide a breath sample. A records check revealed that Graham’s license had been suspended in 2006 for refusing to provide a breath sample. His bond was set at $2,000 which was posted.
