Gwinnett Deputy Arrested for DUI and Child Endangerment

Gwinnett County sheriff's deputy Anthony C. Pesaresi was arrested Thursday afternoon for DUI and two counts of child endangerment after an off-duty car wreck.

The Gwinnett County Police Department reports that Pesaresi, of Auburn, was driving a Ford Edge on Braselton Highway in Dacula at approximately 5:30 PM, when an oncoming Nissan Pathfinder turned in front of him.  Pesaresi's vehicle struck the other vehicle (the Nissan) in the rear.

The officer who responded to the wreck wrote in his report that the driver of the Nissan was found to be at fault for the accident.  The officer also reported that he detected a “moderate odor of alcohol” coming from Pesaresi. He asked Pesaresi if he had been drinking and he admitted to one 24-ounce beer earlier, but had not consumed any food since 8 AM.

Pesaresi was found to be impaired during field sobriety testing and registered a .11 blood alcohol content when later tested at the jail.  Pesaresi, an almost a four-year employee of the sheriff's department, is a senior deputy in the jail division.  Per office policy, there will be an internal investigation into the incident.

Pesaresi's DUI and child endangerment charges are serious and can come with some devastating consequences.  First of all, Georgia's DUI child endangerment law means that for each child in the vehicle under the age of 14, another DUI charge is levied against the adult driver.  In effect, Pesaresi is now facing three counts of DUI.

In addition to the DUI and child endangerment charges, Pesaresi could also face disciplinary action from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards Training Council (POST).

POST requires certified officers (and their employers if applicable) to notify them within 15 days of any arrest.  A POST investigator will request records of the arrest and follow up with the officer and employer regarding discipline.

That means POST could put Pesaresi on probation or suspend/revoke his certification.  This could cause him to lose his current job and keep him from obtaining future employment in the law enforcement field.

If you have been arrested for DUI and DUI child endangerment or any DUI-related offense, call the top-rated attorneys that can help you get the best outcome for your case.  The Law Offices of Richard Lawson has an unparalleled staff of lawyers that are ready to take your call ANYTIME.

DUI charges can wreak havoc on your life, but they do not have to.  Choosing a skilled Gwinnett County DUI Attorney to handle your case is the best decision you can make.  Do not trust your future to a general practitioner when only an experienced Gwinnett County DUI Lawyer will do.

An arrest does not mean you are guilty; but your case will not defend itself.  Do not delay in hiring the best lawyer for your DUI case.  The sooner we get started on your defense, the better.  Our office will give you top-notch legal advice when you need it most.  Call us now.