Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested six individuals over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday weekend who were suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In a social media post, MCSO stated that deputies worked hard this past weekend to keep the roadways safe by getting the following individuals out from behind the wheel:
43-year-old Nathan Eugene Heinitz, of Dunnellon, was observed traveling in the wrong direction towards oncoming traffic, according to MCSO. After his breath samples were taken, the results indicated that he was driving with more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system.
Heinitz was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $1,000 bond. He is facing a misdemeanor charge for driving under the influence, and a court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.
An MCSO sergeant conducted a traffic stop of 34-year-old Jorge Brito, of Vineland, New Jersey, after his vehicle was observed driving across the white line three times while traveling on Silver Springs Boulevard, according to the sheriff’s office. After failing several field sobriety exercises, Brito was arrested and refused to submit to testing to determine if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In addition, MCSO stated that a firearm, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia were found in his possession. As a convicted felon, Brito is not allowed to possess a firearm. He was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $25,000 bond.
Brito is facing felony charges for possession of a weapon or ammunition by a delinquent adult from another state and possession of cocaine, along with misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting an officer. A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18, according to jail records.
A traffic stop of 51-year-old Ocala resident Amy Smith was conducted after she committed a traffic offense and was found to be driving under the influence, according to MCSO. She refused to provide a breath sample, and a computer search revealed that her driver’s license had several suspensions for multiple DUI-related reasons.
Smith was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and she was later released on $16,000 bond. She is facing felony charges for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (fourth or subsequent offense) and driving with a suspended or revoked license (third subsequent violation), along with a misdemeanor charge for driving under the influence. A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.
A traffic stop of 23-year-old Summerfield resident Gerardo Melchor Perez was conducted after he committed a traffic offense and was suspected to be driving under the influence, according to MCSO. He failed several field sobriety exercises, and his breath samples revealed that he was driving with a breath alcohol content of .147 and .155. In addition, it was discovered that his driver’s license had expired six months ago.
Melchor Perez was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $1,500 bond. He is facing misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and driving with an expired license for more than six months. A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.
35-year-old Patrick O’Donnell, of Dunedin, was observed driving 56 miles per hour in a posted 40 mph zone, and he crossed over the yellow line while making an improper turn, according to MCSO. After failing several field sobriety exercises, he refused to provide a breath sample.
O’Donnell was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $2,000 bond. He is facing misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams). A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.
A traffic stop of 19-year-old Ocala resident Rosa Louise Sotelo was conducted after she was observed committing a traffic offense on Baseline Road, according to MCSO. She failed several field sobriety exercises, and her breath samples revealed a breath alcohol content of .227 and .218, which is nearly three times the legal limit.
Sotelo was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and she was later released on $1,000 bond. She is facing a misdemeanor charge for driving under the influence of alcohol, and a court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office stated on its Facebook page that there are no excuses for driving under the influence.