OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY

By DENNIS W. WARD,  STATE ATTORNEY

KEY WEST, APRIL 20, 2018 — A Miami man found driving down the wrong side of a one-way street in Key West more than a year ago has been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Christopher Roqueta, 39, now has a litany of penalties: 12 months of probation, a $500 fine and $588 in court and investigation costs, driver’s license revocation for six months, 500 hours of community service and 10-day impoundment of his vehicle. He cannot consume alcohol while on probation and must hear from a woman whose child was killed by a drunk driver in an effort to make him understand the consequences of drunk driving.

A jury convicted Roqueta April 19 in Monroe County Court Judge Peary Fowler’s courtroom. Prosecutors Nicholas Trovato and Patrick Flanigan tried the case.

According to Key West Police Department reports, on Feb. 27, 2017, police saw Roqueta driving his Jeep the wrong way down the one-way Angela Street and pulled him over. Police smelled alcohol but Roqueta denied he had been drinking.

Roqueta allegedly had slurred speech, red and glassy eyes and an alcohol smell on this breath. Further investigation revealed two bottles of vodka in the Jeep. At one point, he “placed his hands behind his back to be handcuffed without being prompted to do so,” according to reports.

Roqueta refused to take roadside sobriety tests and refused to be tested for breath alcohol concentration. However, the jury deliberated less than one hour before returning its verdict.

Contact: Public Information Officer Larry Kahn, (305) 289-2899.

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