Marion Oaks — While driving north on Marion Oaks Course, Deputy Tanya Rodriguez spotted a vehicle with a Texas license plate swerve into the median then back onto the roadway. She then activated her emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.
According to reports, as Deputy Rodriguez approached the vehicle she could smell the strong odor of alcohol emitting from the vehicle.
The driver, later identified as Jeffrey A. Battagilia, 27, told the deputy that he had consumed two beers. He also told the deputy he was taking Adderall for ADHD and Xanax for anxiety.
The deputy reported that Battagilia spoke very slow and that his speech was slurred.
When Battagilia was asked to exit the vehicle he had difficulty maintaining his balance. Upon exiting the vehicle, he immediately told the deputy that [he] was taking medication for two herniated disks and that he could not participate in any sobriety exercises.
Battagilia was then arrested for DUI.
A search of the vehicle turned up a cooler with an open bottle of Smirnoff Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka, which had been partially consumed. Additionally, Deputy Rodriguez recovered Xanax-1MG tablets, marijuana, a grinder, an aluminum foil marijuana pipe, and capsules filled with a brown powder that was not identified.
A computer check revealed that Battagilia had been convicted of DUI three times in two other states; making this his fourth DUI.
All four DUIs occurred within the past six years.
Battagilia was charged with DUI-Fourth or Subsequent Offense, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Xanax without a Prescription, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Once at the Marion County Jail, Battagilia refused to cooperate and would not submit to a breathalyzer test.
He was released from jail on $14,000 bond.
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