Sheriff Charged With Dui Had Been Drinking High-alcohol Four Lokos Since 6 Am, Authorities Say

A section sheriff successful Georgia had been drinking cans of Four Loko “for hours” anterior to his DUI apprehension by his ain main deputy, according to a report.

Gerald Jay Couch, nan Hall County Sheriff, reportedly started connected nan caffeinated alcoholic drinks astatine 6 a.m. earlier being stopped later Friday greeting while driving a county-issued vehicle.

As Couch was a sitting sheriff, nan Georgia State Patrol were called to behaviour a DUI examination.

The 63-year-old showed “clear signs of impairment” erstwhile stopped, including slurred reside and unsteadiness connected his feet and had “a beardown odor of an alcoholic beverage” connected his breath, according to nan GSP.

A afloat apprehension study later obtained by WSBTV stated that nan lawman who stopped Couch had “asked him what he had to portion and he stated [Four] Lokos.” The trooper besides recovered “two 24oz Bahama Mama alcoholic beverages” that had spilled wrong nan vehicle.

Four Loko typically has an intoxicant by measurement level (ABV) ranging from 6 percent to 14 percent, depending connected nan spirit and authorities regulations. Most 24 oz cans sold successful nan U.S. incorporate astir 14 percent ABV. By comparison, astir beers person an ABV betwixt 4 percent and 8 percent.

The original caffeinated type of nan portion was banned aliases restricted successful respective states, including Michigan, Washington, Utah, Oklahoma, New York, and Kansas, from 2010 to 2011.

When breathalyzed, Couch had a people of .212 – almost 3 times Georgia’s ineligible limit of 0.08.

The sheriff was stopped astatine astir 10.30 a.m Friday aft a lawman operating an unmarked conveyance observed a achromatic Chevrolet Tahoe failing to support its lane. The lawman past followed nan car backmost to a backstage driveway.

A trooper from GSP was called to nan residence astatine astir 11.30 a.m. They noted that Couch was unstable and administered Standardized Field Sobriety Tests – determining that he was nether nan power of intoxicant and placing him nether arrest.

He was charged pinch driving nether nan influence, nonaccomplishment to support lane and unfastened container.

Couch reportedly spent 5 hours successful custody astatine Hall County Jail earlier being released connected bond. His county-issued conveyance was confiscated.

The Independent has contacted nan Hall County Sheriff’s Department for an update successful nan case.

Due to his position arsenic an elected charismatic successful Hall County, Couch cannot beryllium fired from his position, though it is unclear if aliases erstwhile he will return. The authorities politician has nan powerfulness to analyse specified instances, including suspending aliases moreover charging a sheriff pinch a felony.

The Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia confirmed Monday that it received a conflict of liking missive from nan Hall County Solicitor-General and was moving to find an due charismatic for nan case.