FL Corrections Sergeant Charged With DUI, Threatening Public Servant

LAKE WALES, FL — A 31-year-old corrections sergeant at the Polk Correctional Institution in Polk City has been charged after Polk County sheriff's deputies said he crashed into a guardrail while over the legal limit for blood alcohol levels.

At around 6:12 p.m. on April 18, deputies responded to Canal Road and Cherry Pocket Road in Lake Wales for a single-vehicle crash.

Based on evidence and witnesses at the scene, deputies said Sean Patrick Teehan of Dundee was driving a black Honda Civic west on Canal Road when he crashed into a guardrail. When deputies arrived on the scene, Teehan was sitting on the hood of the Honda and deputies said he had "bloodshot, watery eyes, a slurred speech pattern, a moderate odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath as he was speaking, lethargic movements, and a difficult time standing unsupported.”

Deputies were unable to conduct any of the field sobriety tests due to Teehan’s level of intoxication and the possible danger to himself if he attempted the exercises.

Teehan was arrested and taken to the sheriff's processing center where he provided two breath samples, one at.265 and the other at.260, more than three times the legal limit of .08.

As standard practice, Teehan was taken to an area hospital to be evaluated. While waiting to be discharged, he told a deputy, “Don’t worry, your time is coming. I’ll see you on the inside, I work for the DOC.”

He was charged with DUI with property damage, DUI with a breath alcohol of .15 or higher and threatening a public servant.

“Driving under the influence is illegal and deadly, and as a corrections sergeant, Teehan knew better," said Polk Sheriff Grady Judd. "Luckily, no one was hurt in this instance. If you’ve been drinking, please don’t drive. It puts your life and the lives of those on the road at risk.”

Teehan has a criminal history that includes charges for resisting arrest and battery on a law enforcement officer, according to the sheriff's office.