EL DORADO COUNTY (October 1, 2023) – An El Dorado county jury has found James Garrett III guilty of driving under the influence of drugs.
On August 7, 2022, California Highway Patrol Officer Miller was dispatched to a call of a disabled vehicle on Highway 50, possibly blocking traffic.
Upon his arrival, Officer Miller observed Garrett exit a parked vehicle.
Officer Miller immediately began observing signs consistent with Garrett being under the influence of drugs, including Garrett’s slowed speech and body movements, droopy eyelids, an inability to follow simple directions and failure to stay focused. Officer Miller also observed marijuana and a marijuana pipe in Garrett’s vehicle.
A series of field sobriety tests were administered, and Officer Miller determined Garrett was too impaired to operate a motor vehicle, due to being under the influence of drugs. Once Garrett was placed under arrest, a subsequent evaluation was conducted by a drug recognition expert, who also determined Garrett was under the influence of drugs. Further testing revealed Garrett had both meth and marijuana in his system.
On September 27, 2023, at the conclusion of a jury trial, a guilty verdict was reached, finding Garrett guilty of driving under the influence of drugs. Garrett will be sentenced on October 27, 2023 by the Honorable Judge Pesce.
Incident Arrest Record:
GARRETT, JAMES ALBERT III
Age: 45
Sex: Male
Race: Black or African American
Height: 5′ 9″
Weight: 245
Hair: Bald
Eyes: Brown
Build: Average
Complexion: Dark
Booking Date: 08/07/2022 22:41
Arresting Agency: CHP
Arrest Date: 08/07/2022
Arrest Location:
EAST BOUND 50 WEST OF 5 MILE ROAD
Charges
1 count of 23152(F) VC- Dui any drug (M) [Misdemeanor] Bail: $0
Total Bail: $0
