Dorion D. Hughes, 25, of Dublin, was arrested Sunday for two counts of improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle and single counts for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and violating Ohio concealed carry law.
Officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department also issued Hughes traffic citations for marked lanes violations, an improper turn, stop sign violations, failure to use a turn signal and speeding.
At 3 a.m., an officer observed Hughes’ southbound car traveling at a high rate of speed on Main Street before it turned onto Dowell Avenue. Hughes accelerated quickly, according to the officer, and failed to stay in the eastbound lane. He also failed to stop at State Route 47 before crossing onto Allison Road. The officer paced Hughes’ car at 37 mph in a 25-mph zone and noted more stop sign violations as he followed Hughes’ meandering path through the subdivision.
A traffic stop was initiated on Iroquois Road. Upon contact, the officer detected an odor of alcohol and burnt marijuana. Hughes’ speech was reportedly thick and slurred, the officer reports, and he appeared drowsy with bloodshot, watery eyes and droopy eyelids.
As Hughes was going through his wallet, the officer spotted his concealed handgun license. He asked Hughes if there were weapons, specifically firearms, in the car and the motorist said it was in the glovebox. The officer found a 9mm handgun loaded and laying on top of its holster before unloading it and securing it in the holster.
Another officer arrived and Hughes was instructed to exit the car. Officers report he declined to participate in field sobriety tests and he was taken into custody. Once at the police department offices, he declined to provide a breath sample or a urine sample.
He was lodged in the Logan County Jail.