Staff Reports
Featured DWI
Felix Long
June 22, 3:10 pm
Aggravated DWI (Third)
A Thoreau man was seen staggering as he got into his vehicle by a witness at a gas station, which soon led to his arrest and third DWI charge.
McKinley County Sheriff’s Officer Miguel Bittony was on patrol when Metro Dispatch advised that a caller from the Thoreau Speedway, Hwy. 371 mile marker 1, stated they saw a male staggering as he got into his vehicle and drove from the business. Bittony arrived at the station and was flagged down by a witness who said the driver left in a black Toyota Tacoma.
Shortly afterward, Bittony found a vehicle matching the description near Navarre Boulevard and pulled it over into the parking lot of the Thoreau Post Office at 3 Prewitt St. He met the driver, Felix Long, 51, who stated he was driving from home to get something to eat.
Long reportedly showed signs of intoxication including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, smelling of alcohol, and having trouble keeping his balance. He reportedly continued to stagger as he exited the vehicle and later admitted to drinking two cans of Michelob beer some time prior to driving.
Bittony administered the Standard Field Sobriety Tests after questioning Long. However, he performed poorly on the tests and was placed under arrest. Afterward, Bittony then learned from Metro Dispatch that Long had an active bench warrant.
Once at the sheriff’s office, Long agreed to take the breath test, where he posted samples of .30, .33, and .32. After the paperwork was completed, Bittony then transported Long to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked for aggravated DWI (third), driving while license revoked, and no registration.
His pretrial hearing is set for July 14.
Name: Hermanda Smith
Age: 38
Arrested: June 26
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Pretrial hearing on Aug. 4
Name: Makiya Lee
Age: 24
Arrested: June 26
Charge: Aggravated DWI
Status: Pretrial hearing on July 30
Name: Nichole Mariano
Age: 34
Arrested: June 24
Charge: Aggravated DWI (Second)
Status: Pretrial hearing on July 14
Name: Leonardo Yazzie
Age: 31
Arrested: June 22
Charge: DWI
Status: Pretrial hearing on July 16
