Switching Seats Fails to Trick Trooper as Cortland Man is Arrested For Felony DWI

Just after 11:30 in the evening on July 11th, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle after a State Trooper observed both vehicle and traffic infractions in the area of Pomeroy and Elm Street in the City of Cortland.

State Police say as the Trooper was walking up to the driver’s window the driver’s seat was empty with one person in the front passenger seat and two in the rear seats. An investigation found 49 year old Jermaine O. Neeley of Cortland, was driving the vehicle and switched to the passenger seat after being stopped.

Further investigation had Neeley perform a Standardized Field Sobriety Test, which State Police say indicated impairment. He was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (with a previous conviction within 10 years) and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 1st, both Felonies. Neeley was transported to the State Police Barracks in Homer for processing and then taken to the Cortland County Jail for Centralized Arraignment.