Staff Report
A Gonzales man was arrested Feb. 27 for his sixth DWI, Ascension Parish Chief Deputy Tony Bacala reported.
John C. Massey, 34, of 13050 She Lee Place Drive, was booked after authorities stopped the Jeep Cherokee he was driving shortly after 9 p.m. for failure to obey a stop sign at the intersection of Hwy 929 and Causey Road in Prairieville.
During the stop, Bacala said the driver displayed signs of intoxication which included the strong odor of alcohol. Massey also admitted to the arresting deputy that he had a drink earlier in the night, according to Bacala.
Massey was placed under arrest after failing a field test. He was found to be under possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and unknown type of pills following a search incidental to the arrest, Bacala said.
Once at the sheriff’s office, Massey refused to take the intoxilyzer chemical test for intoxication, Bacala said.
After a criminal records check authorities discovered that Massey has been arrested six times for DWI since 2000, including the most recent charge, Bacala said, but records indicate that he has not been convicted of any of the DWI's.
The sheriff’s office Tuesday released the following dates and locations of Massey’s previous arrests:
• First arrest: Sept. 2, in Ruston.
• Second arrest: Feb. 23, 2001, in Ruston.
• Third arrest: Feb. 26, 2006, parish unknown. Arrest by Troop A State Police.
• Fourth arrest May 20 by Baton Rouge Police Department.
• Fifth arrest July 19 by Troop A in Ascension Parish.
Bacala said Ascension Clerk of Court records indicate the July 19, 2009 arrest case is still pending. It was originally set for arraignment Oct. 20, but the arraignment was continued to Dec. 21, and then continued again until Jan. 19 and March 15 of this year.
Jail records show Massey was released from jail after posting a bond of $30,000 for the DWI, a $154 bond for running a stop sign, $686.50 for possession of marijuana, and $286.50 for possession of drug paraphernalia. The bonds were set by Judge Alvin Turner.
