Body cam footage shows a Northeast Arkansas school band director’s second DWI arrest
By: -----
New body camera footage shows a Northeast Arkansas school band director’s second arrest for driving while intoxicated.
Paragould police arrested 46-year-old Guianta “Richie” Williams on suspicion of driving while intoxicated-second offense, refusal to submit to a chemical test, open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and improper lane change.
According to court documents, at 1:05 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, an officer was parked in the 3000 block of Kingshighway when he saw a westbound GMC truck drive past.
“The truck was splitting lanes when it passed me, so I pulled out and began observing the vehicle’s driving mannerism,” Patrolman Brian Jones stated, adding that he followed the truck to the 4400 block of West Kingshighway.
During that time, Jones said the truck “failed to maintain its lane and made several improper lane changes,” and he initiated a traffic stop.
“The vehicle did not stop until 4711 W. Kingshighway,” Jones said in the probable cause affidavit.
When asked where he was coming from, Williams reportedly told the officer he was “heading home.”
“I could see that his eyes were bloodshot and watery and that he was chewing gum,” Jones stated.
Again, the officer asked where Williams was coming from. Again, Williams said he was “just going home.”
Jones then asked Williams to step out of the vehicle.
According to the report, Williams asked the officer twice why he needed to get out of his vehicle.
After the officer explained that he “felt more comfortable” conducting the stop in front of his patrol unit, Williams agreed to get out.
“As Guianta was stepping out, he stumbled and caught himself,” Jones stated. “I could also smell a strong odor of intoxicants coming from the truck and Guianta’s person.”
Again, the officer asked Williams where he was coming from.
“Guianta stated that it was his right to not tell me anything,” Jones said in the affidavit.
The officer then asked Williams if he would perform the standard field sobriety tests (SFSTs).
“He denied,” Jones said.
Feeling that the circumstances warranted enough probable cause, the officer told Williams he was being arrested for DWI.
“When I went to put him in handcuffs, Guianta began pulling away from me and resisting,” Jones stated in the court documents. “Myself and the other officer on scene walked Guianta over and placed him on the hood of my vehicle.”
At that time, Williams agreed to the SFSTs.
The affidavit included the SFST results:
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (6 of 6 Clues)
* Lack of Smooth Pursuit (Left and Right Eye)
* Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus at Maximum Deviation (Left and Right Eye)
* Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Prior to 45 Degrees (Left and Right Eye)
9 Step Walk and Turn (4 of 8 Clues)
* Loses Balance
* Uses Arms to Balance
* Miss Heel to Toe
* Steps Offline
One Leg Raise (3 of 4 Clues)
* Puts Foot Down
* Uses Arms To Balance
* Sways
Based on the SFSTs’ results, Jones decided to place Williams under arrest.
“Once again, while trying to place Guianta in handcuffs, he began pulling away from me and trying to talk me out of it,” Jones said. “Myself and another officer grabbed Guianta’s arms and held them while I placed Guianta into handcuffs.”
Jones took Williams to the police department for a blood alcohol content test.
“Guianta refused to take the BAC test, and no test was given,” the officer said.
Jones then took Williams to the Greene County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond. He has since been released and is awaiting a court appearance.