An illegal alien from Ecuador was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after partying at Cowboys bar in Orlando.
An officer was dispatched to the area of Plaza Collina Boulevard and East Hwy. 50 at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Clermont Police Department. The caller noted that the driver of a black Chevy truck, later identified as 27-year-old Joan Mauricio Morales Cardenas, failed to stay in his lane while speeding toward Clermont.
As the officer approached the intersection of Hancock Road and East Hwy. 50, he spotted the truck quickly turning left onto Hancock Road. The officer turned around to follow and watched as the truck failed to stay in its lane, just as the caller had said. He subsequently initiated a traffic stop, and the driver pulled over on the right side of the road, the report said.
The officer walked up to the truck to see its interior, including Morales Cardenas, coated in vomit and various spilled drinks. Morales Cardenas shuffled around in this mess to find some ID, during which he shifted the vehicle out of park and into drive. The truck was off, so it did not go anywhere, which he seemed to realize at that moment, the report said.
Morales Cardenas then grabbed his keys, only to be commanded to get out. He proceeded to walk to the back of the truck and rested against it. It was here that he described line dancing at the Cowboys bar in Orlando. He showed the officer an armband from the bar and even pulled out party-themed glasses from his pants pocket, the report said.
His breath smelled like alcohol as he talked about the bar, and that, coupled with his bloodshot, glassy eyes, prompted the officer to ask about sobriety exercises. He agreed to do them and took off his boots so he could be comfortable. He was given several opportunities to repeat an exercise or two, but he struggled to complete them, the report said.
The officer concluded Morales Cardenas was under the influence based on his performance. He later provided a breath sample of 0.167g/210L of breath, the report said.
Additionally, another officer learned that he was in the United States illegally. Due to this, he was to be placed under an immigration hold, the report said.
Morales Cardenas was arrested on charges of DUI and no license (never had one). The native of Ecuador was booked at Lake County Jail to be held without bond.