Felony DWI Arrest In Lima For Probationer

Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of a Wayne County probationer on felony DWI and felony  Aggravated Unlicensed Operation charges following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.  

On July 15, 2022 at approximately 12:00 pm, Deputies responded to the Town of Lima after receiving text messages to the Livingston County Emergency Communications Center (E-911) of an intoxicated driver. Sheriff’s Deputies checked  the area and were able to locate the vehicle and operator in question on West Main Road in the Town of Lima. 

The operator of the vehicle was identified as Michael R. Murray, age 44 from Macedon, NY. During the encounter, the  Deputy Sheriff suspected that Murray was under the influence of alcohol. The Deputy Sheriff did attempt to conduct  standardized field sobriety tests, however, all tests were refused. Due to several indicators of intoxication, Murray was  taken into custody for DWI at the conclusion of the investigation.  

Murray was then transported to the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters in Geneseo, where he was offered a breathalyzer to  determine his blood alcohol content (BAC), a test which was also refused by Murray. 

A records check revealed that Murray had a previous DWI related conviction in 2017 making this arrest a felony. The  check also revealed that Murray’s driving privileges in NYS had been revoked due to the previous DWI related  conviction, making the Aggravated Unlicensed Operation charge also a felony. Murray was also on probation out of  Wayne County.  

Murray was arrested and charged with felony Driving While Intoxicated, felony Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a  Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, as well as additional violations of the NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law.  

Murray was transported and turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing and  pre-arraignment detention. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level  charges. It was recommended that Murray be held on $2,500 Cash or $5,000 bond which was allowable under NYS Bail  Reform due to Murray being on probation. 

Murray was later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail  before Justice Hoffman. The Judge did commit Murray to the custody of the Sheriff on $1,000 Cash or $2,500 Bond.  

The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office was present and represented Murray at the court arraignment for his defense. The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office did appear telephonically to represent the people.