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Twitter| 6/10/2008 3:32 AM | Email this article  • Print this article  |
Romano arrested for DUI in W.Va. This article has been read 6191 times. By Barbara S. Miller Staff writer
Romano, 43, of Canton Township, spent the night in Tygart Valley Regional Jail in Belington, Randolph County, and was released Thursday morning on his own recognizance. Tucker County Sheriff Tom Felton said the communications center in Parsons received a phone call Wednesday about a possible drunken driver. A sheriff's deputy pulled over a black, four-door 2006 Mercedes-Benz on Route 72 at 5:15 p.m. in Hambleton, about three miles from Parsons, the county seat. Felton identified Romano as the driver of the car registered to Angela Conner of Pennsylvania. There was a passenger in the car, but Felton said he did not have the person's identity. A written statement Romano released Monday afternoon said he was "on vacation in Elkins, W.Va., with my fiancée. I made a poor error in judgment by having a few beers while sightseeing."
Jim D'Alessandro, chief deputy sheriff, said Romano's fiancée's name is Angie. The deputy administered field sobriety tests to Romano, who failed them, Felton said. An Intoximeter test of Romano produced a 0.231 percent blood-alcohol content reading, nearly three times the legal limit. In West Virginia, intoxication is presumed at a blood-alcohol content of 0.08, the same as in Pennsylvania. Romano also was issued a citation for driving left of the center line. "The deputy told me personally he was very cooperative," Felton said. The deputy determined Romano was the Washington County sheriff, but Felton said he didn't know exactly how the topic came up. Romano was incarcerated at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday at the Tygart Valley lockup, which serves several counties. Clad in orange prison garb similar to garments issued at Washington County Jail, where Romano, as sheriff, is a member of the prison board, he was photographed. His mug shot appeared on the state regional jail authority's Web site during the time in which he was incarcerated.
Chris Bailey, who works at the jail authority's headquarters in Charleston, W.Va., said Romano was separated from the rest of the prisoners in accordance with standard policy when law enforcement officers are arrested. "Because of his position, they were attempting to keep him segregated from the general population," Bailey said. West Virginia law requires that a person who is arrested be arraigned within 24 hours. Tucker County Magistrate Riley Barb arraigned Romano by video teleconference. "It gives them a chance to sober up," Barb said of those charged with alcohol-related offenses. "We want to make sure they understand." Romano did not identify himself as a county sheriff during his video arraignment. Barb, however, described Romano's answers as "yes sir, no sir, totally respectful and straight to the point." He entered no plea, but Barb said a plea hearing probably will not be scheduled for about three weeks. Barb released Romano on his own recognizance, and Romano left the regional jail at 9:30 a.m. A misdemeanor offense of drunken driving is handled in West Virginia at the magisterial level, Barb explained. If Romano pleads guilty to the charge, the magistrate can immediately sentence him. If Romano enters a plea of not guilty, a magistrate can empanel a jury or proceed with a bench trial, depending on the defendant's preference. A change in West Virginia law, which took effect Sunday, waived mandatory jail time, but Romano's arrest was made under the previous law, which requires a jail sentence of 24 hours to 90 days and a fine of $100 to $500. After two calls to Romano at the Washington County sheriff's office were not returned, he issued a statement Monday afternoon: "By no means do I feel that I am above the law in this or any other matter, nor did I ask for or was treated as such. ... I realize the severity of this matter and by no means do I take this lightly. This will not affect my performance as your sheriff, and I assure you this will not happen again. "I would like to take this time to offer a sincere heartfelt apology to the citizens of this county. ... I sincerely regret my personal actions and take full responsibility. ... I intend to use this as an example for others that no one is above the law." Tucker County, the third-smallest county in West Virginia with a population of 7,300, is south of the Cheat Lake area. The Cheat River runs through the county, which is mountainous, densely forested and the home of Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls state parks. It is also the home of Kingsford Products Co., a 50-year maker of charcoal briquets. Romano, a Democrat, was nominated in the spring of 2005, besting Chief Deputy Sheriff Bill Bryker of North Franklin Township and Canonsburg Police Chief R.T. Bell. In the general election, he defeated Republican Ralph McCullough of Carroll Township for a four-year term. The position pays $63,440. Romano had been a deputy sheriff for 15 years before running for the top job. He graduated from Trinity High School and concentrated on criminal justice at Michigan State University. He competed as a wrestler at both the high school and collegiate levels. As sheriff, Romano is in charge of more than 30 deputies plus office staff. Washington County Commission Chairman Larry Maggi, who also is in charge of the prison board, declined to comment Monday on Romano's arrest. Maggi is a former Washington County sheriff and retired state trooper. The fourth-class county code says sheriffs and other elected officials can be removed from office only by impeachment or by the governor "upon conviction of misbehavior in office, or of any infamous crime in accordance with the Constitution of this Commonwealth." Staff writer Michael Jones contributed to this story. |
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romano : 6/10/2008
everyone makes mistakes.
Ramano DUI Arrest : 6/10/2008
Instead of a written apology, I would like to see a written resignation.
Comments from the concerned citizens of Washington County : 6/10/2008
Please refer to this link for all the comments made when this first came out http://www.observer-reporter.com:80/OR/Story/06-10-romano-arrest-2008-06-09T09-49-13
Romano : 6/10/2008
Your not allowed to make mistakes in your position. I'm in public education and I make sure if I have a drink its at home or someone sober is driving. Very childish act. P.S. Stay out of the Alpine where eveyone can see you drinking. Your not above the law, but you think you are!
Romano DUI arrest : 6/10/2008
Remember.... it could happen to YOU! All are by no means perfect. I am sure that he is very sorry that he left himself go . As long as it doesn't happen again... then this will pass. He has apologised and we will see if he is true to his words.
romano arrested for DUI in W.VA : 6/10/2008
Sam I WOULDN'T worry about,the drinking laws are changing,anyone could get there eye,eye,eye on it.Just throw it over the shoulders and get going with your thing Sam.NO need for any apologies.Dennis M Mccullough
DUI Ramano : 6/10/2008
Ramano should resign. He would expect the same from any of his deputies. How can he enforce any alcohol policy with his deputies. The number one drug is alcohol.
romano : 6/10/2008
i went to high school with Sam then as now he thinks he is better than everybody and should not be allowed to stay in office. I just dont understand how people can be given this great responsibility and then neglect those who elect and pay him as well as they are so irreverant. He was nice and polite because he knew this would eventually come out so he puts his best foot forward. Something he has done as a young adult and obviously still continues to this day.
Romano : 6/10/2008
Sam is still the same as he was in high school. Irreverent!!
SHERIFF ROMANO : 6/10/2008
In regard to Sheriff Sam Romano's recent DUI arrest. I think that the Sheriff should hold himself to a higher standard. Since he admitted he was intoxicated, he should have had his fiance drive. If he wants to be a "stand-up guy" he should immediately tender his resignation.
Ramano DUI Arrest : 6/10/2008
This guy always thought he was a big deal. Karma bites hard.
Romano : 6/10/2008
We all are human and make mistakes, it is what we learn from them and how we handle them. It is nice to hear that he is taking responsibility and not trying to get out of because of his job.
S.O.S : 6/11/2008
It is amazing that these types of issues happen daily and it is shoved under the rug. Alcoholics with over 5 or even 10 DUI's under their belt are still on the road. But heaven for bid a person in a position of power makes a mistake. He's the bad guy. Well I beg to differ. There should be no resignation at all and Sam should continue on with a lesson learned. Everyone should learn from this. He is a super guy who has taken full responsibility for his actions. He did not try to push the issue of his authority and has apologized enough. Let him live his life as a human being also. I don't think anyone would want to be humilated like some of you are humilating him. So everyone needs to get on with their lives and let Sam get back to his job. This is not a game and people's ignorance is getting to be repulsive. Everyone has a certain position of power and has neglected it in one way or another. What about the most powerful position as a parent. I would have to say mostly all of you should be locked up cause these kids are out of control and the parents don't care. But they are our future and no one thinks about that. But sure we can sit here and beat up on Sam. Another thing is about the comment of him in High School. Grow up! People change. Someone stole my bike onetime and I knew who it was and they are not a criminal now. Also - about him staying out of the Alpine. Maybe you need to stay out because you might be next on the DUI list. Last but not least. The thing that make me the most sick is the fact that people can sit here and rip Sam up and down, but if they were to get into trouble I'm sure you wouldn't hesitate to ask for Sam's assistance. Move on!!! We love you Sam!!!
Romano's "mistake" : 6/11/2008
If everyone would have voted for the right man in the first place, none of this would matter. We would never seen headlines like this with R.T.Bell's name in it!!!
Romano : 6/11/2008
Anyone who has never made a mistake....let him cast the first stone!
Sheriff Romano : 6/11/2008
Sheriff Romano is the most courageous person I know. Lets not forget all of the good he has done for the communty. You are all hypocrites. Take a good look in the mirror
Sheriff Sam Romano : 6/11/2008
I find it most interesting that the majority of negative posters (I mean imposters) are such cowards, they do not even tsign their names. I especially enjoy seeing the way they spell our Sheriff's name. I suggest they should consider some on-line schooling before they begin throwing those stones.
ramano : 6/12/2008
I think sam has done a good job for wasington county he made a mistake everyone has no one is perfect i don't know him personally but from what i hear from the people who like him it was all good don't ruin a mans career people are quick to judge others take account of what you do before you take account of others
G.N. : 6/12/2008
According to your Biblical quote, I guess you feel we shouldn't have a justice system..since we are all imperfect, we have no right to judge anyone else, so let's just forget about punishing those who break the law, since none of us are able to "cast the first stone".
Romano : 6/12/2008
A ROLE MODEL OF THE 21RST CENTURY
Good Sheriff and Man : 6/15/2008
For those of you who know Sam you know he is a man who would do anything to help anyone. He has done some remarkable things for people including savinf lives ( how soon we forget ) i.e. the gentleman who fell from the chiminey . He has also helped countless people in times of need includes getting them to and thorugh rehab when the were at the bottom. He has and always will be there for people .If you follow politics you also know that he is doing a stand up job at the Sheriifs office, that office has never run so smooth and might I say under budget. I would like to stress the fact that Sams help to people is done out f the kindness of his heart as a true human being with morals and integrity not done for publicty . Sam is a true role model for all of us on integrity and humanity , we should all take a lesson. Remember we are all human and none are perfect although some think they are , Judge not onto thee ,for thou does not judge We love you Sam and are in our prays , keep up the great work as Sheriff and has a great man.
Soused Sheriff Sam : 6/17/2008
Mr Romano states he "had a few beers". A .231 BAC is attained by many more than a few...more like a case or some hard stuff! If he's so upstanding he shouldn't have been driving and risking his fiancee's life....assumingly the MOST IMPORTANT person in his life! He lacks integrity and does not belong in office.
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