Officer Michael Arkinson of the Sag Harbor Police Department, who last summer apprehended Justin Timberlake on suspicion of driving under the influence, has been honored for his exemplary service. During a recent ceremony, Chief Rob Drake named him the Officer of the Year, citing his "immediate and profound impact both within the department and the surrounding community," as reported by TMZ.
The saga of Timberlake's DWI incident unfolded on June 17, 2024, when authorities observed him disregarding a stop sign and weaving between lanes in Sag Harbor. Arkinson's court documentation vividly portrayed the scene: "The defendant was operating the vehicle in a clearly intoxicated state, evidenced by his bloodshot and glassy eyes, a pungent alcohol scent emanating from his breath, his inability to multitask, slurred speech, unsteady gait, and subpar performance on all standardized field sobriety tests."
Moreover, during the apprehension, the Grammy-award-winning artist allegedly confessed to Arkinson, "I had just one martini and was merely following my friends home." Timberlake's legal representative further contested the claim, asserting his client's sobriety at the time of arrest.
In September, Timberlake, who had initially pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge of drunken driving, opted for a plea deal. Subsequently, pleading guilty in New York's Sag Harbor Village Court, according to the Associated Press, Timberlake faced a penalty of a $500 fine, accompanied by a $260 surcharge, and was mandated to complete 25 hours of community service at a nonprofit organization of his choosing.
