Licking County Sheriff’s deputy charged with DUI
LICKING COUNTY, Ohio (WCMH) — A Licking County Sheriff’s Deputy has been charged with DUI this week.
According to Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp, Deputy Barth Waldeck, 62, was charged Feb. 18 based on an investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP).
According to OSHP, Waldeck was stopped at approximately 11:05 p.m. Tuesday on Country Road 668 near Township Road 289 in Hopewell Township.
Waldeck stopped his vehicle along CR668 to aid a broken down vehicle on the other side of the road, police said. After stopping his vehicle, Waldeck began to back up, striking the other vehicle’s open driver’s door.
When an OSHP trooper arrived on the scene, he reported Waldeck allegedly had a heavy odor of alcohol on his breath, slurred speech, and had trouble walking.
Waldeck allegedly refused to take a breathalyzer, according to the OSHP summons issued to Waldeck.
Waldeck was immediately placed on administrative leave. The sheriff’s office has begun an internal investigation into the incident.
Waldeck has been a member of the Licking County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years and was serving in the Licking County Jobs and Family Services office at the time he was placed on leave.
OSHP is handling the criminal investigation.
Waldeck is ordered to appear in the Newark Licking County Municipal Court on Wednesday.