On Saturday, April 18, 2020, while doing proactive marine patrol in Winter Haven, PCSO Marine Unit deputies and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers observed a pontoon boat approaching a dock and a PCSO marked vessel at the canal between Lakes Shipp and Lulu, on a plane and violating Polk County Ordinance 93-37, which states vessels must operate at idle speed within 150 feet of shore and canal, 100 feet of another vessel, and 75 feet of a dock.
They conducted a boating safety stop and observed the driver, 43-year-old Christopher Lee Lightsey of Bowling Green, to have bloodshot and glassy eyes, slurred speech, and an odor of alcoholic beverages on his breath. He told the officers he had one rum runner. Lightsey agreed to a field sobriety test, which he failed. He was taken into custody for BUI (boating under the influence) and taken to the county jail where a breathalyzer test showed 0.102 BAL (blood alcohol level) on the first sample, and 0.105 BAL on the second sample.
Lightsey told deputies he is a Lieutenant at the state Department of Corrections facility in Hardee County. He was booked into jail and released on Sunday, April 19, 2020, after posting a $500.00 bond. He was also issued a civil citation for violation of the boating ordinance listed above.