VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — When police pulled over an off-duty Volusia County deputy, he reeked of alcohol, had bottles in his truck and openly admitted he was drunk, but he didn’t go to jail. Instead, he got to call for a ride.

An anonymous source told Eyewitness News about the double standard and there are now two investigations into the incident. It comes a day before Election Day for Sheriff Ben Johnson, who just weeks ago admitted he has occasionally had a couple drinks and climbed behind the wheel.

It started at an off-beach parking lot where a police officer saw a sheriff sergeant and his girlfriend sleeping under a blanket. He had to yell five times and shake him just to wake him up. A traffic ticket, for failing to maintain a lane, was a Volusia sheriff sergeant’s only punishment after he was pulled over in his truck, smelled of alcohol and even failed a field sobriety test.

“The officer made a determination on his own to allow the subject to be driven home,” said Det. Max Binz, Ponce Inlet Police Department.

From the first contact on the beach, Ponce Inlet Officer Chris Selander had with Sgt. Ken Vickery, the report said Vickery smelled like alcohol. He was reportedly arrogant and argumentative. Police left him on the beach, only to see him 45 minutes later driving on A-1-A, crossing the lines and swerving onto the shoulder.

“We take DUIs here very seriously. Our officers have discretion. I was not on the scene. I could not say for certain. At this time, we are conducting an Internal Affairs investigation,” Binz said.

During the stop, right in front of Ponce Inlet Town Hall, another sheriff sergeant showed up, talked to Vickery and left. The police officer wrote in his report that Vickery was under the influence, but then let him call a friend for a ride and go home.

Sheriff Sergeant Ken Vickery was working Monday. He has not been disciplined before and was just promoted to sergeant this year.

It has long been known that cops and family members of the five capos enjoy virtual immunity against being prosecuted for breaking state laws in Daytona Beach and Volusia County.


Sources: http://www.wftv.com/news/17878203/detail.html

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