NEWPORT — Chief Travis Bingham reports that the Newport Police Department arrested and charged a man with driving under the influence on Saturday night.
JAMES LEBLANC, AGE 56, of NEWPORT, was arrested and charged with:
- Driving Under the Influence (a felony)
- Violation of Conditions of Release (three counts)
- Driving with a Criminally Suspended License
On Saturday, Oct. 7, at approximately 10:33 p.m., an on-duty Newport Police officer was responding to a separate incident when screaming was heard from inside a business at 273 Main St. The officer entered the store and witnessed LEBLANC in the process of purchasing alcohol.
The officer then approached LEBLANC while he was in his vehicle, and a second officer joined to assist.
The two Newport officers, who were aware that LEBLANC had an active curfew and a criminally suspended license, detected an odor of intoxicants. The officers performed a field sobriety testing, which LEBLANC could not successfully complete.
Through a subsequent investigation, Newport Police learned that LEBLANC was under court orders which set a curfew, prohibited him from driving a vehicle, and barred him from consuming alcohol.
LEBLANC is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday at Orleans Superior Court.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.