The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has reported that an individual is facing enhanced charges because of his immigration status tied to a DUI hit and run in Florida.
According to Sheriff Grady Judd, deputies arrested Roberto Sandoval Lopez, 34, after he drove his white Honda into a fence in Winter Haven around 7 PM.
A witness alerted authorities about the crash, prompting law enforcement to respond.
Law enforcement found Sandoval Lopez walking nearby shortly after the incident and determined he was intoxicated.
His eyes appeared “watery” and “bloody,” and deputies detected the smell of alcohol on him.
When questioned about drinking, Sandoval Lopez reportedly claimed he had consumed six Modelo beers a few hours earlier, around 5 PM.
Breath tests indicated his blood alcohol content was 0.13 and 0.124.
The sheriff’s office also noted that he showed “some signs of a disability” during roadside sobriety tests.
Sandoval Lopez was taken to the Polk County Jail, where he faced charges including DUI with property damage, driving under the influence, and driving without a license.
Because he is in the U.S. illegally, his charges have been escalated, classifying his “DUI with property damage” as a felony.
All other charges remain first-degree misdemeanors.
Judd mentioned in a Facebook post that Sandoval Lopez will stay in jail until he is processed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
He pointed out that Sandoval Lopez was fortunate that only a fence was damaged in his drunken driving incident, labeling him a coward for fleeing the scene.
Additionally, the sheriff emphasized that being in the U.S. illegally constitutes a crime, and in Florida, this status can intensify the severity of other criminal charges.
“In Florida, if you’re illegally present while committing a crime, those charges can be reinforced. He’s now facing a serious felony because he caused property damage while driving under the influence,” Judd stated.
