Florida Man Arrested Again For DUI And Cocaine Use

A seventy-six-year-old man from Florida stood accused of drinking rum and using cocaine just months after another arrest, authorities stated. Charles Ducking lives in Lake Wales. Police pulled him over on U.S. Highway 27 in Waverly last week. A sheriff's deputy claimed to see the older driver swerving dangerously along the road. The officer immediately smelled alcohol and noted signs of impairment like slurred speech and watery eyes.

When asked for his license, Ducking allegedly admitted it was suspended because of a prior DUI charge. He told the deputy he had been drinking right then. Inside his silver thermal cup sat a brown liquid he identified as rum. The officer recognized him instantly from an arrest made in May. During the search of the vehicle, deputies found an orange container holding cocaine. Ducking allegedly confessed to taking a line ten minutes before being stopped.

Field sobriety tests showed clear signs that he was impaired. Breathalyzer readings came in at .094 and .095. Both numbers exceeded Florida's legal limit of .08 for drivers. Sheriff Grady Judd issued a strong statement about the situation. He said Ducking is lucky not to have killed someone or himself yet. The sheriff argued that such behavior tempts fate too many times. Officers need serious life changes before it becomes too late.

Ducking was booked into the Polk County Jail immediately after arrest. Charges included DUI as a fourth or subsequent offense, possession of cocaine, driving with a suspended license, and drug paraphernalia. Records show he has been arrested nine other times in Polk County since 2001. Multiple past arrests involved drunk driving incidents. He was released from jail days later after posting bond with strict conditions forbidding alcohol use or possession.