Ontario County Resident Arrested For Felony Driving While  Intoxicated in Lakeville

 Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of an Ontario County resident for felony Driving While  Intoxicated and several other charges following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.  

On June 17th, 2023 at around 2:00 am, Deputy Donals, who is assigned to the Sheriff’s Office STOP DWI Unit, conducted  a traffic stop on Big Tree Road in Lakeville after an observed violation of vehicle and traffic law.  

Contact was made with the operator of the vehicle, who was later identified as Justin M. Caswell, age 33 from  Richmond, Ontario County. It is alleged that Caswell was immediately verbally aggressive with Sheriff’s Deputies, and  refused to comply with lawful commands. Deputies initiated a DWI investigation based on indicators of alcohol  involvement. Caswell did eventually exit the vehicle, at which point it is alleged that he physically began to fight with  Deputies. After a period of Caswell pushing, throwing and punching Deputies, he was taken into custody.  

Caswell was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated and released shortly after. Caswell 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 he refused.  

A records check revealed that Caswell had a previous conviction for Driving While Intoxicated in 2016, making this arrest  a felony. 

Caswell was arrested and charged with felony Driving While Intoxicated, Obstructing Governmental Administration in  the Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, two counts of Harassment in the Second Degree, as well as additional violations of  the NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law.  

Caswell was 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 Caswell be released on his own recognizance after arraignment, as the charges do not qualify for bail  under the NYS Bail Reform. 

Caswell was later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail  before Justice Mahany. The Judge did release Caswell to return to Court at a later date per the law.  

The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office was present and represented Caswell at the court arraignment for his defense. The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office was notified but did not appear to represent the people. 

“Only in New York State can you be arrested for felony drinking and driving, refusing to comply with lawful orders,  physically fighting Deputies and still get to go home because lawmakers removed discretion from elected Judges,” stated  Sheriff Dougherty. “Our communities and our protectors are less safe because of the extreme measures of bail  reform.”