Tony Cook Drove, Spoke With Judge, Despite License Suspension For DUI.
BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Boca Raton resident Tony Cook is facing a felony charge of driving without a license after he was caught driving — during a Zoom court hearing — which he was attending for a burglary charge.
The judge told Cook to stop driving, but apparently he didn’t, even though his license was suspended for DUI. He was arrested on July 20th.
This is the narrative written by the arresting Boca Raton Police officer:
“On May 28, 2021, I was contacted by Chief William (Bill) Fraser with the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office in reference to a zoom court incident that had taken place on May 13, 2021. While addressing the Honorable Judge Daliah Weiss, Defendant Tony Cook in case number 21CF002120AMB was operating a motor vehicle during his court hearing. Assistant State Attorney (ASA) Kristin Vara brought this incident to the court’s attention to where it was addressed.”
“On June 1, 2021, I met with Chief Fraser and obtained a DVD copy of the court incident described above. Mr. Cook was identified through a FL driving record of C200-816-67-163-0. Upon reviewing the video, I noticed the following: At 10:16:02 AM, Mr. Cook appeared on video as he sat in the driver seat of a vehicle.”
“ASA Vara had acknowledged that she knew Mr. Cook had a permanent DL revocation from a prior incident. The court immediately addressed this and ordered Mr. Cook to pull over and stop driving. At 10:16:42 AM, the court again ordered Mr. Cook to stop driving, to by stating “yes ma’am, I am pulling over right now”.”
“At 10:16:50 AM, Mr. Cook was seen exiting the driver side seat and walked over to the passenger side of the vehicle. An unknown female was seen on video, confirming to the court that she will assume the driver role. he responded At 10:17:17 AM, Mr. Cook admitted on record to knowingly driving without a valid license.”
“Next, I queried Mr. Cook through FCIC / NCIC and learned that he never obtained a FL DL. In March 2019, Mr. Cook received a 60-month DL suspension for driving under the influence. Based on the facts articulated above, I proceeded to issue Mr. Cook Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC) number AA5U66E for operating a motor vehicle without a valid FL license.”
Cook was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail by Boca Raton Police. He was later released on his own recognizance. A court date is pending, fir which Cook will presumably be told to attend while sitting in one place.
