STANTON — Floyd County Sheriff John K. Blackburn found himself on the other side of law enforcement in Powell County Sunday night, after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Blackburn, 62, of Prestonsburg, who currently serves as president of the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association, registered a .202 on a breathalyzer — more than twice the legal limit — and was arrested in Powell County Sunday night, after other motorists reported that the Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by Blackburn was “driving recklessly.”
According to officials with the Stanton Police Department, the Tahoe had an “official” license plate. According to state law, vehicles can only receive “official” tags after they are certified to be owned or leased by government agencies or nonprofit ambulance services.
According to the police report, Officer P. Frazier, of Stanton Police Department, responded to the reported reckless driver. Frazier wrote in his report that he observed the vehicle cross the center line several times and at one point swerve off the road and nearly strike a guardrail.
After stopping Blackburn at 8:07 p.m., the officer reported Blackburn had slowed speech, bloodshot eyes, and smelled of alcohol.
In his report Frazier stated, “The driver insisted he had only drank water and was weaving because he was talking on his cell phone.”
Blackburn allegedly told the officer he had a medical reason for why he could not perform a field sobriety test. However, a breathalyzer was administered, and Blackburn registered a reading of .202. The legal limit in Kentucky is .080.
According to the police report, following the breathalyzer test, Blackburn admitted he was coming from a casino and had consumed alcoholic beverages that day.
Blackburn was arrested at 8:14 p.m. and was booked in the Powell County Detention Center at 9:28 p.m. He was later released on a $2,500 surety bond.
Blackburn is scheduled to appear April 9 in Powell County District Court for arraignment.
This should be an automatic removal from office and criminal charges!
NO GOVERNMENT official is above the law especially the sheriff!
Driving an official vehicle while drunk! Does anyone need to know anything more about his character? President of Kentucky Sheriffs Association? Really?
Would you allow your county dog catcher to do this? Where is our Governor on this? Remember the photo of the Gov. with John K receiving
The KSA award?
Blackburn is scheduled to appear April 9 in Powell County District Court for arraignment.
We shall see, Powell County ain't Floyd County sister!