Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 34-year-old man was arrested late Saturday night after deputies said he was driving under the influence without a valid license while a 3-year-old child was in the vehicle. The suspect, identified as Simon Ojeda-Cabellero of Mexico, was also described by his wife at the scene as being in the United States illegally, according to the arrest report.
The traffic stop happened at about 9:01 p.m. on August 9 in the 5500 block of SW Archer Road. An Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy reported pulling over Ojeda-Cabellero’s vehicle after observing it swerving and failing to stay within its lane.
During the stop, the deputy noted that a 3-year-old child was seated in the back of the vehicle. The report states that Ojeda-Cabellero smelled of alcoholic beverages and showed several signs of impairment, including slurred speech, a flushed face, dilated pupils and bloodshot eyes. A cold Modelo beer can was also allegedly visible inside the vehicle.
Ojeda-Cabellero reportedly struggled during field sobriety exercises and was taken into custody. After being transported to the jail, authorities said two breath tests each registered 0.102 g/210L.
After being read his Miranda rights, Ojeda-Cabellero allegedly told the deputy he had consumed only two Mexican beers about one to two hours before the traffic stop.
According to the deputy, Ojeda-Cabellero’s wife said at the scene that he is in the country illegally. When questioned about his immigration status, Ojeda-Cabellero reportedly declined to answer. Deputies identified him using a Mexican identification card.
Ojeda-Cabellero is facing charges of DUI with a child under 18 in the vehicle, child neglect and driving without a valid license. His complete criminal history was not available because records are not posted in cases involving minors, but court records show a 2019 conviction for driving without a valid license. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set his bail at $37,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
