Florida Rep. Dane Eagle was arrested April 22 on suspicion of DUI in Tallahassee. The congressman was leaving a Taco Bell restaurant around 2 a.m. when police spotted him driving erratically.
According to court documents, Eagle made a U-turn, almost hit the curb, and ran a red light before being pulled over.
Although Eagle said that he had not been drinking, the responding officer stated that he smelled an odor of alcohol emanating from the SUV, that Eagle's eyes were watery and bloodshot, and that the State Representative stumbled when exiting the vehicle.
Although Eagle, 30, maintained that he was "good to get home," officers placed him into custody. He refused to take a sobriety or Breathalyzer test.
After being released from the Leon County Jail, Eagle issued a statement regretting the arrest, but not admitting to a crime.
"While there are some decisions that I would have made differently," he wrote, "I do not believe there is a complete and accurate picture of the events.
"Under advice of my legal counsel, I cannot discuss all the details right now, but I look forward to publically [sic] sharing the entire story at an appropriate time. Until then, I humbly ask for everyone's patience.
"I know that I am accountable for my actions, and I look forward to communicating with my constituents in the near future on this matter."
A court date for the congressman has not been released.
Eagle, who was elected to the House in 2012, gained national attention last month after introducing the Drug-Free Public Officers Act.
The bill calls for all elected and appointed federal, state, and local officials to undergo mandatory drug testing. Officials refusing the test would be forced to resign.
"We need to be as elected officials held to a higher standard," Eagle told WCTV in March.
"If drugs are illegal then we should be checked on that. It is just the basic idea for me and I believe other legislatures will be warm to that."
