Band Director Arrested for Second DWI Sunday in Paragould

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A man faces charges that include his second DWI after he was allegedly pulled over with an open container early Sunday in Paragould.

At about 1:05 a.m. on Dec. 8, a patrol officer with the Paragould Police Department was at the 3000 block of W. Kingshighway when a white GMC truck passed him headed west on 412, according to the probable cause affidavit. The truck was splitting lanes when it passed him, the officer wrote, so he began to follow and observe the vehicle. While doing so, he noted the vehicle failed to maintain its lane and made several improper lane changes. The officer decided to conduct a traffic stop around the 4400 block but noted the vehicle did not stop until the 4700 block.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The officer approached the driver and immediately noticed his eyes were bloodshot and watery. It was also noted he was chewing gum. The officer checked his information and returned to ask him to exit the vehicle. The report said the driver asked why he had to exit the vehicle. In Arkansas, officers do not need a reason to ask the driver to exit the vehicle. After being told this, the driver complied.

As the driver stepped out of the vehicle, he stumbled and caught himself, with the officer also noting the smell of intoxicants coming from inside the truck and from the driver’s body. The officer explained he was conducting a DWI investigation and asked where the driver had been. The driver stated it was his right not to respond to questions.

The officer asked the driver to perform Standard Field Sobriety Tests, but he denied the request. The officer wrote that the totality of the circumstances presented him with enough evidence to make an arrest, so he told the driver he was arresting him. When he went to place him into handcuffs, the driver began pulling away and resisting, the affidavit said. A second officer assisted in the stop.

After being placed on the hood of the patrol car, the suspected drunk driver finally stated he would do SFSTs. The results are listed in the report:

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (6 of 6 Clues)
1- Lack of Smooth Pursuit (Left and Right Eye)
2- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus at Maximum Deviation (Left and Right Eye)
3- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Prior to 45 Degrees (Left and Right Eye)

9 Step Walk and Turn (4 of 8 Clues)
1- Loses Balance
2- Uses Arms to Balance
3- Miss Heel to Toe
4- Steps Offline

One Leg Raise (3 of 4 Clues)
1- Puts Foot Down
2- Uses Arms To Balance
3- Sways

Due to the results of the tests, the officer again decided to place the driver under arrest. Once again, the affidavit states he began pulling away from the officer and tried to talk him out of it. Two officers grabbed his arms and held him still while putting him in handcuffs.

Once at the police station, the affidavit states the driver refused to submit to a BAC test, netting him another charge.

Guianta Mescatero “Richie” Williams, 46, was arrested for misdemeanor offenses that include DWI 2nd, Refusal to submit to a chemical test, Open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and improper lane change. His bail was set at $2,500 cash-only by Judge Dan Stidham.

Williams is the director of bands at Paragould High School (source). NEA Report reached out to school administration for comment. The attorney for the district, Rebecca Worsham-Moss, sent the following:

The district is aware of the charges filed against the band director over the weekend. We take all allegations of inappropriate conduct with the utmost seriousness and will conduct a thorough investigation. In compliance with employee protections under Arkansas law, the district and its superintendent are unable to provide further comments at this time.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.