STATE OFFICERS: OCCUPANTS SCREAMING AT OTHER BOATERS IN BOCA RATON…
BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A man operating a boat on Lake Boca Sunday night was stopped and arrested by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers after the officers allegedly observed boat passengers screaming and yelling at other boaters on the lake.
Nilton Soares of Dixie Highway in Boca Raton allegedly failed field sobriety tests, and later provided breath samples registering .112 and .096. The legal breath alcohol content limit in Florida is .08. BocaNewsNow.com obtained the arrest report which documents the following:
“While on patrol I observed a vessel with several occupants on board screaming at other nearby vessels while underway. Upon initiating a vessel stop for a boating safety inspection I observed a Hispanic male wearing a white shirt with white shorts operating the vessel (bearing Florida registration #FL6569HE). While speaking with operator Nilton Soares (identified by his Nevada drivers license #1605951035) I observed signs of impairment du to slurred speech, watery blood shot eyes, and the strong smell of intoxicants emanating from his person.”
“I then asked Soares if he would agree to perform seated field sobriety tasks to which he agreed. I performed the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) task to which I observed lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes as well as onset prior to 45 degrees in both eyes.
He attempted to perform the finger to nose task but due to a language barrier Soares had difficulty understanding the instructions. Soares wife assisted in translating but was offering him additional information and assistance during the tasks attempting to correct him when he made mistakes. I observed him hesitate, not use fingertip, not bring down, move his head, and missing the tip of his nose.
Due to the language barrier Officer Specialist and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Marroquin assisted by checking HGN again and observed lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, distinct and sustained nystagmus at max deviation, and onset prior to 45 degrees in both eyes. Officer Marroquin stated that the angle of onset was immediate. He also observed vertical gaze nystagmus in both eyes. Officer Marroquin also stated he smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from Soares breath.
Based on totality of the circumstances I had probable cause to believe that Soares was impaired and under the influence of alcohol. Soares was then transported to Spanish River Park where he provided a breath sample.”
Soares was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail at 3:05 a.m. Monday. He was released on his own recognizance several hours later.
