A Villager will lose his driver’s license for six months as the result of his arrest earlier this year after drinking beer at Sonny’s BBQ at Lake Sumter Landing.
An employee of Sonny’s BBQ contacted law enforcement on the night of June 12 after 59-year-old Charles John Coogan of 2043 Dunster Court left the restaurant and appeared intoxicated, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
The employee said Coogan had consumed at least two 12-ounce beers with his dinner.
The Texas native was found sleeping in a white Toyota pickup truck in the parking lot. The ignition was on, but the truck was not running. It appeared he had been drinking.
“While speaking with the defendant he asked several times for me to call his father so he could get a ride home since he was unable to drive. It should be noted the defendant had a hard time forming his sentences,” the deputy wrote in the arrest report.
Coogan performed poorly in field sobriety exercises and refused to attempt the one-legged stand. He refused to provide a breath sample. A check revealed Coogan had been arrested on a charge of drunk driving in 1983 in California.
On Tuesday in Sumter County Court, Coogan pleaded no contest in the case. In addition to losing his license, he has been placed on probation for one year and has been ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.
