El Paso boxer Antonio Escalante arrested for 4th DWI this year; arrest appears to violate plea agreement
El Paso boxer Antonio Escalante’s arrest for allegedly Driving While Intoxicated Wednesday – his fourth this year – appears to be a violation of his plea agreement in two DWI cases.
He was charged with DWI 3 or more in the Wednesday incident.
According to the police affidavit, police received several calls about a possible drunk driver in a gray Pontiac vehicle in the 10700 block of Gateway North at 4:34 p.m. Wednesday.
By the time police arrived at the location, the Pontiac was gone but soon returned to the location, which was a Howdy’s.
Officers found Escalanate in the driver’s seat unconscious with an open bottle of Michelob AmberBock, several empty beer bottles on the passenger seat and several more on the floorboard, according to the affidavit.
Police say Escalante had very slurred speech and detected a very strong odor of alcohol from his breath. Police also said he appeared to have urinated on himself, had red, glassy, bloodshot eyes and had trouble standing, according to the affidavit.
Based on the witness placing Escalante behind the vehicle while it was being driven, the DWI roadside tests, and officer’s observations Esclante was charged with DWI.
Escalante refused to give a voluntary blood sample.
El Paso Police noted the following during Esalante’s Dec. 3 arrest
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
Lack of smooth pursuit from both eyes.
Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation from both eyes. Officer observed onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees from both eyes.
During Walk and Turn
Started too soon.
Cannot keep balance. Missed heel to toe Steps off line. Stops while walking. Improper turn. Raised arms. Incorrect number of steps.
One Leg Stand
Sway.
Raises arms for balance. Put foot down. Hops.
According to court documents, Escalante pled guilty on Oct. 27 to one year in jail with the sentence suspended and 18 months of probation that started on the date he pled guilty.
The sentence applies to guilty pleas on the Feb. 2014 and July 2014 DWI cases.
Both of those DWI cases were for Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) greater than or equal to .15, according to court documents.
Officials with the District Attorney’s Office told ABC-7 Thursday they could not say exactly how his Dec. 3 arrest will affect his upcoming case.
Escalante will go to trial on May 8, 2015 on the June 2, 2014 DWI with a child under 15 years of age charge.
At a July 22, 2014 news conference for an Aug. 2014 boxing match, ABC-7 asked Escalante whether he has a drinking problem, to which he quickly responded, “I don’t. I don’t have a drinking problem.”
ABC-7 then asked him whether he had anything to say to his fans and the people of El Paso.
“Mainly, I do want to apologize for my acts,” Escalante said at the news conference. “I’m an athlete, I don’t touch the alcohol, any of that. That’s not me. And I just want to apologize to any people that really don’t believe in me, they got upset … I’m really sorry … I’m telling you all I’m going to get back on my feet and like I said years back, I’m going to the first champion of the world out of El Paso – and I will be.”
According to court records, Escalante’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was greater than or equal to .15 when he was arrested at on the most recent DWI charge at 4:07 p.m. July 13, 2014 at 800 N. Piedras for DWI.
Police say that probable cause for the traffic stop was defective vehicle equipment.
Police say the officer observed signs of intoxication on the driver, Escalante.
Escalante was unable to successfully complete the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and was placed under arrest.
Escalante later provided a breath sample of 0.21 and was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on the charge of Driving While Intoxicated with a BAC >.15.
Escalante is scheduled to fight a yet-to-be announced opponent on March 28 at the Don Haskins Center.
The boxing match, part of “Fight Night Most Wanted,” was originally scheduled for Nov. 21 at the Don Haskins Center before being rescheduled on Nov. 17.
No explanation was given by UTEP or the promoter for the rescheduling of the fight night.
All purchased tickets will be refunded. Tickets purchased online and via telephone will be automatically refunded. Tickets purchased from ticket outlets or the venue box office must be returned to that location for a refund.
