Cottonwood AZ (May 7, 2014) – Thanks to grant funding made possible by the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, selected Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies participated in both a DUI checkpoint and special patrol operation this past weekend.
On Friday night, May 2, 2014, YCSO deployed 7 deputies to assist a multi-agency DUI checking located adjacent to the Verde Valley Fair in Cottonwood. Deputies contacted 620 drivers and arrested 1 person for DUI/Drugs. In that case, the deputy detected the odor of marijuana as the vehicle was entering the checkpoint lane. The driver, 46-year-old Paul Guy from Phoenix, was contacted. Deputies conducted a series of field 
sobriety tests and determined Guy was driving impaired and under the influence of cannabis. After Guy was arrested, deputies performed an inventory search of his vehicle and found a .44 caliber handgun along with a baggie containing marijuana, bottle of prescription medications, and a marijuana pipe. Guy was booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Possession of a Deadly Weapon during Commission of a Felony, Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia, and DUI Drugs. He has since been released on a $5000 bond.
During the checkpoint, deputies were pleased to contact 8 designated and sober drivers and continue to encourage this smart planning which can save lives – maybe your own.
On Saturday night, May 3, 2014, 4 YCSO deputies were assigned to participate in the Prescott basin tri-city DUI task force along with special patrols in the Verde Valley. Deputies contacted a total of 28 drivers with 2 being arrested for DUI – One for DUI drugs and one extreme DUI with average blood alcohol content (BAC) of .210.
Remember, law enforcement officers all over this county are always watching for DUI drivers on the road. Stay smart and use a designated driver.