Sheriff's captain pleads guilty to DUI
HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) -- A ranking official, a 22-year veteran of the Butler County Sheriff's Department, has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and has been placed on two months' unpaid suspension.
Capt. Greg Blankenship, 46, of Hamilton, was charged with driving under the influence, driving left of center and having an open container, all misdemeanors. He was off duty and in his personal vehicle when he was arrested Saturday, police said.
On Tuesday, Hamilton Municipal Court Judge John Rosmarin dropped the charges of driving left of center and having an open container. He ordered Blankenship to pay a $550 fine, have his driving privileges restricted to work only for 180 days effective Jan. 5 and spend three days in an alcohol-abuse program.
In a statement released by his lawyer, Blankenship apologized for his actions.
"I realize my poor judgment in this incident has embarrassed my family, myself, and my employer, the Butler County Sheriff's Department," Blankenship said. "I apologize to my family and Sheriff [Harold] Gabbard for my actions."