An illegal alien is facing “enhanced” charges in Florida after deputies say he drove drunk, crashed into a fence, and fled the scene.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Roberto Sandobal-Lopez, a Nicaraguan man in the U.S. illegally, was arrested Saturday night.
Sandobal-Lopez, 34, allegedly plowed his white Honda into private property in Winter Haven around 7 p.m. and then walked away.
Witnesses quickly called deputies, who found him nearby.
Sheriff Grady Judd said Sandobal-Lopez showed clear signs of intoxication.
He had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol.
When questioned, he allegedly admitted to drinking six bottles of Modelo just hours before.
A breathalyzer confirmed blood alcohol levels of 0.13 and 0.124, a figure well above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.
Field sobriety tests also confirmed impairment, according to deputies.
Sandobal-Lopez now faces charges of DUI with property damage, DUI, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, and driving without a license.
But because he is in the country illegally, Florida law automatically enhances the severity of his charges.
His “DUI with property damage” charge has been elevated to a third-degree felony, while the other charges remain first-degree misdemeanors.
Sheriff Judd stressed that immigration status matters when it comes to accountability under Florida law.
“In Florida, if you’re committing the crime of being here illegally, your other criminal charges are enhanced one degree; he’s now facing a serious felony because he caused damage to property while driving under the influence,” Judd explained.
The sheriff also blasted Sandobal-Lopez for walking away from the crash.
“It’s fortunate that only a fence was damaged during this drunken drive,” Judd said.
The sheriff continued by calling the suspect a “coward” for fleeing “the scene and responsibility.”
Sandobal-Lopez is currently being held at the Polk County Jail until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) takes custody.
Florida, under Republican leadership, has taken one of the toughest state-level stances on illegal immigration in the nation, including policies that elevate criminal charges for offenders unlawfully present in the U.S.
Sheriff Judd’s office has repeatedly emphasized that illegal entry itself is a crime.
As a result, additional crimes will be treated more severely.
READ MORE – Illegal Alien Arrested Over ‘Shocking and Criminal’ Truck Crash That Killed 3 People
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