A LaPorte man was arrested early Sunday morning on charges of operating while intoxicated and possession of marijuana following a traffic stop on U.S. 31.
According to the Marshall County Sheriff's Department, a deputy stopped a 2016 gray Kia Soul for traffic violations on U.S. 31 at 12th Road at approximately 2:15 a.m. on Sunday, February 15th.
During the stop, the deputy determined that the driver, 33-year-old James T. Birgans III of LaPorte, had been drinking. Birgans agreed to perform field sobriety tests and submit to a certified chemical test. Following the testing, Birgans was found to be intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of .10%, which is above Indiana's legal limit of .08%. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail.
Birgans was booked for operating while intoxicated and possession of marijuana, and held on a and $1,500 cash bond
All charges are allegations, and the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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