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Tampa police sergeant charged with DUI

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TBO.com

Published: April 27, 2009

Updated: 04/27/2009 09:41 am

James Simonson

TAMPA - A Tampa police sergeant has been arrested on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.

James R. Simonson, 49, was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Sunday by Hillsborough County deputies at U.S. 301 and Causeway Boulevard. Breath tests showed his blood-alcohol level at 0.085 and 0.082, deputies said. In Florida, a person is presumed to be impaired with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08.

Simonson, who works in patrol and has been with the department since December 1984, was released on bail this morning.

He wasn't on duty when he was arrested and wasn't slated to return to work until Wednesday. He will be placed on administrative duty and there will be an administrative review, police say.

Deputies say they first spotted Simonson near U.S. 301 and the Selmon Crosstown Expressway. His 2004 Nissan briefly traveled off the shoulder and onto grass, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

The Nissan closely followed the vehicle in front, accelerated and decelerated for no apparent reason and jerked side to side in its lane, Carter said. When deputies spoke with Simonson, they smelled alcohol and determined his eyes were glassy.

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