Story Category: Crime and Punishment »

On December 21st, 2012 a DUI Checkpoint was conducted by the Calvert County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Maryland State Police as part of the two departments ongoing efforts to educate the citizen's of Calvert County about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol. 

Funding for the checkpoint was provided by the Maryland Highway Safety Office as part of their "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign.  The checkpoint was set up on E. Chesapeake Beach Road (Md. Rt. 260) in between Old Solomons Island Road and Thomas Lane.  The checkpoint was set up at this location based on statistical data compiled by the Calvert County Traffic Safety Council in reference to alcohol related arrests and crashes in this particular area. 

A total of 722 vehicles entered the checkpoint and were provided literature about Maryland's drinking and driving laws.  Three vehicles were directed to a testing area due to the presence of alcohol on the driver with one subject being arrested for violating Maryland's driving under the influence laws.  The checkpoint was conducted from 2036 hours until 2230 hours.  Deputies also conducted saturation patrols of the Rt. 260 and Rt. 261 corridor which resulted in three additional arrests for driving under the influence or impaired violations.

The below listed individuals were arrested during this operation:

(1) Bonnie Blankenbaker 50 YOA Port Republic, MD

(2) Samuel Orates 33 YOA Oxon Hill, MD

(3) Michael Manginell 46 YOA North Beach, MD

(4) John Roger Ponzette 54 YOA King George, VA

Also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

The Calvert County Sheriff's Office and Maryland State Police will continue to be vigilant in their efforts to make the county's roads safer by taking drunk and drugged drivers off the street during this holiday season, as well as year round.  Sheriff Mike Evans wants to remind all drivers to, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over!" "If you must go out and drink alcoholic beverages, please arrange for a sober driver to transport you after you have been drinking.  Too many lives are lost on roadways due to people not planning ahead.  There has been enough tragedy on the roads to last a lifetime."