Watertown man faces 5th DWI charge of year

A Watertown man is facing his fifth driving while intoxicated charge this year following an arrest early Wednesday in the Oswego County town of Hastings.

Andre R. Leduc, 26, of 1229 Faichney Drive, Apt. 4, is charged with felony aggravated DWI after state police said he had a breath test reading of 0.20 percent blood alcohol content. A BAC level of 0.08 percent or more is considered proof of intoxication under state law. Aggravated DWI is charged when the BAC is 0.18 percent or more.

He was arrested on Interstate 81, police said. He also is charged with felony aggravated unlicensed operation.

He was charged with DWI on May 10 at Fort Drum, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court. He pleaded guilty Oct. 8 to a reduced charge of driving while ability impaired and was fined $500.

Mr. Leduc still has prosecution pending in City Court for two prior arrests by Watertown police. He was charged May 11 with aggravated DWI, when police said he tested at 0.30 percent BAC, and with DWI on July 29, when his test result was listed as 0.14 percent BAC.

He also was charged April 27 by state police with aggravated DWI after a traffic stop on Route 11 in the town of Gouverneur. Troopers alleged his BAC was 0.21 percent in that incident. The disposition of that case was not available Wednesday.

He was released without bail Wednesday morning in town of Hastings Court.

Also facing charges of DWI and related offenses:

■ Andrew T. Josey, 21, Antwerp, was arrested shortly after noon Monday by state police at a Fort Drum gate on charges of DWI and driving while under the influence of drugs. He and his passenger, Jon-Claude C. Culbertson, 23, Antwerp, also were cited with unlawful possession of marijuana. Their vehicle was detained by Gasoline Alley gate officers at 10:30 a.m., police said.

■ Troy L. Pearson, 30, Spencer Road, Burke, was charged Saturday night by Malone police with aggravated DWI. Mr. Pearson, who also was charged with making an improper turn and driving an uninsured vehicle, was stopped at 11:15 p.m. on East Main Street. Police did not disclose his chemical test result.

■ James A. Hellinger Jr., 28, of 7671 Lanpher St., Lowville, was arrested by state police at 3:15 a.m. Saturday on Number Four Road in the town of Lowville, and also faces charges of third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and having a loud exhaust. Police listed his breath test result as 0.08 percent BAC.