An off-duty Merced police detective was arrested by the California Highway Patrol earlier this month on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Hector Ortiz, 46, was taken into custody Jan. 10 after two CHP officers pulled over his pickup truck around 2:15 a.m. for a vehicle code violation on Yosemite Avenue west of R Street, according to CHP spokesperson Shane Ferriera.
Ferriera said the officers smelled an alcoholic beverage after making contact with Ortiz. After being given a field sobriety test, Ferriera said the officers determined that he was under the influence.
Ortiz also submitted to a breath test and was found to have a blood alcohol content above the .08 legal limit, Ferriera said. He was booked into the Merced County Main Jail.
Ferriera described Ortiz as cooperative and "apologetic."
The case has been filed with the Merced County District Attorney's Office. Ortiz is scheduled to appear in court on March 11.
Merced Police Cmdr. Floyd Higdon said Ortiz was placed on leave the day after the incident. He's expected to be back at work Tuesday.
Higdon declined comment, when asked if Ortiz will face any specific disciplinary measures. "All personnel issues are confidential," Higdon said.
Ortiz works as a domestic violence investigator.
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