Bradenton resident Zachary Haughey, 30, will be on probation through July 2025 following his conviction for a pair of misdemeanors.
The charges included a second-degree misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol after prior conviction(s) and a first-degree misdemeanor for refusal to submit to testing.
Holmes Beach police arrested Haughey Feb. 3 after finding him driving 50 mph in a 35-mph zone on Gulf Drive and swerving in his lane.
An officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with Haughey, who had an open beer bottle in his vehicle.
After Haughey failed field sobriety exercises, he was arrested and transported to the Holmes Beach Police Department.
There, he refused to complete breath or blood/alcohol level testing.
Haughey pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges but then changed his plea to no contest at a July 29 court hearing.
At the same hearing, Judge Heather Doyle of the 12th Circuit Court ruled to find Haughey guilty of both charges.
Doyle sentenced Haughey to complete 12 months of probation, 100 hours of public service, advanced DUI school and a victim impact panel.
She also suspended his license for a year and required him to be placed on a portable alcohol monitor for six months.
— Ryan Paice