NEWTON FALLS Driver has list of offenses

His convictions range from DUI to failure to stop for a school bus unloading children.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NEWTON FALLS -- A Southington man involved in a traffic case that has led to the unpaid administrative leave of a Trumbull County deputy sheriff has a series of driving offenses dating back several years.
Christopher W. Rex, 26, of Warren Burton Road, is set to appear in Newton Falls Municipal Court at 1 p.m. Oct. 15 on charges of driving under the influence, driving under suspension, speeding, failure to control, failure to comply and felonious assault.
The court hearing has been postponed twice; originally set for Sept. 26, it was continued to Oct. 8, then to Oct. 15.
Neither Newton Falls Prosecutor Richard Schwartz nor Rex could be reached.
Beginning in 1993
Court records indicate that Rex's driving convictions date back to 1994 and include DUI and failure to stop for a school bus unloading children.
He has been convicted in courts in Portage, Geauga and Trumbull counties.
In Portage County, Rex pleaded no contest and was found guilty of DUI in July 2001 and was ordered to pay $250 and costs and serve 10 days in jail. His license was suspended at that time for one year.
In May 2001, he was convicted of driving under suspension the previous February, and a speeding charge was dismissed. He was ordered to pay $100 and costs for the suspension conviction.
In 1995 in Geauga County, Rex was convicted of driving under suspension and ordered to pay $500 and costs and serve two years' probation. Charges of speeding and a seat belt violation were dismissed.
In 1994, he was convicted of several traffic violations, including reckless operation, DUI, no operator's license, failure to stop for a school bus and underage DUI, for which he received a one-year suspension on his license.
Rex's license was again suspended in 1995, that time for two years, after he was convicted of DUI and driving under suspension. He also served three days in jail and was given two years' probation.
Latest case
In the latest case, Rex is accused of fleeing from Deputy Brian Kaintz on June 26. A videotape from Kaintz's cruiser shows the deputy chasing a vehicle about 2:15 a.m. on U.S. Route 422 and state Route 534.
At one point, Kaintz can be heard reporting his speed at more than 100 mph. When the vehicle reached Doty East Road, the driver tried to turn, but hit a tree.
Kaintz, who is not visible on the tape, can be heard telling the driver to stop. The tape shows the motorist putting the car in reverse, hitting the cruiser, pulling forward, then reversing again before driving off. Kaintz fired several shots at the vehicle's tires as it drove off.
Rex was arrested at his home about 20 minutes later.
Sheriff Thomas Altiere has said Kaintz violated the department's use of deadly force policy and placed him on unpaid administrative leave Sept. 6.
Kaintz has appealed the decision. A hearing before an arbitrator has yet to bet scheduled.
slshaulis@vindy.com