JEFFERSON —
An Ashtabula County sheriff’s deputy, cited for drunken driving this past weekend, pleaded not guilty to the charge at his arraignment Monday in Ashtabula Municipal Court, according to court documents.
Julius J. Petro Sr., of Ashtabula, has been charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, operating a motor vehicle under the influence (breath .08 to .17) and left of center, according to records found on the court’s website. Petro, who is represented by Ashtabula attorney William Bobulsky, pleaded not guilty to all three charges. He was released on a $1,750 personal recognizance bond, according to court documents.
The deputy is on administrative leave pending court action, Sheriff William Johnson said Tuesday. “We are following proper protocol,” he said.
“It is (the OHP’s) case,” Johnson said.
Petro was driving on Route 531 in Saybrook Township around 2:26 a.m. Sunday when he was pulled over by an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper, said OHP Lt. J.R. Sutton. A field sobriety test was given, and a subsequent test for alcohol content showed a .097 level, Sutton said. The limit in Ohio is .080.
“(Petro) was just over the legal limit,” Sutton said.
The deputy was “extremely cooperative” at the scene, Sutton said.
The incident occurred while Petro was off-duty and he was not driving a police cruiser at the time, Johnson said. “It has nothing to do with the uniform,” he said.
Petro, with more than 25 years of service, is a veteran member of the sheriff’s office, Johnson said. His primary duty is to serve legal papers and he is not a road deputy, Johnson said.
Petro informed Johnson of the incident. “He made me aware of it,” Johnson said.
Until the case is resolved, Johnson and other deputies will assume Petro’s duties, he said. “We’ll pick up the pieces,” Johnson said.
Bobulsky could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.
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