Unlicensed driver on moped stopped with bottle of alcohol

A Leesburg man was arrested for drunk driving when an officer spotted him on a moped with a bottle of alcohol.

An officer observed 46-year-old Joseph Joveu Watts on an orange Solana moped traveling northbound on North 14th Street around 7:05 p.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. The moped had no registration tag attached to the back. 

Based on this observation, the officer initiated a traffic stop using his overhead lights and siren. Watts looked back at the officer, seeming to acknowledge his presence, and came to a stop in the roadway, the report said. 

The officer approached Watts and noticed a bottle of alcohol in the front compartment of the moped. He asked Watts if he had a valid driver’s license, to which he stated he did not need a license to use the moped because it was a 49cc moped. He reiterated that he did not have a license on him, the report said. 

During this interaction, Watts appeared unsteady, had red glossy eyes and emitted the smell of alcohol from his mouth as he spoke. He then lit up a cigarette, the report said. 

The moped’s serial number was run and came back registered to a tag that expired in 2021. Watts advised that he recently bought the moped off a friend and did not think it had to be registered, the report said. 

Dispatch proceeded to conduct a records check on Watts. They informed the officer that Watts did not have a valid license, as it had been revoked for DUI on March 24, 2021. He also had seven suspensions and cancellations ranging from 2022 to 2024, the report said. 

Further investigation revealed Watts had five prior charges for driving while license suspended or revoked. He was convicted of DWLSR in June 2001, July 2001, Dec. 2007, Feb. 2008 and March 2013, the report said. 

Given this information, Watts was placed under arrest for DWLSR and taken to the LPD for booking and DUI investigations. He was read his rights, which he acknowledged that he understood. He was then questioned about his possible impairment due to the presence of alcohol and his possible impaired behavior, the report said. 

DUI investigations were concluded as Watts completed sobriety exercises, but he refused to provide a breath sample. His performance during the exercises, including unsteady coordination, led the officer to believe he was under the influence, the report said. 

Watts was charged with DUI and driving while license suspended/revoked with knowledge (3rd conviction). He was also issued a written warning for the initial traffic offense. He was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $3,500 bond.