OXFORD MS โ Nine defendants pled guilty on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 to impaired driving offenses on the Natchez Trace Parkway in the Northern District of Mississippi. These convictions stemmed from the defendants operating motor vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The defendants were all sentenced to serve a term of probation.ย
United States Attorney Clay Joyner of the Northern District of Mississippiย said, โDriving under the influence is a choice that needlessly endangers the lives of innocent people traveling on the Natchez Trace; we are grateful that these defendants were arrested before they could harm others or themselves.โย ย
The National Park Service Rangers assigned to the Natchez Trace Parkway made the arrests in each case and prepared these matters for prosecution by the United States Attorneyโs Office. โWe are grateful for the work of the Rangers in helping to keep our roadways safe from impaired driversโย Joynerย said.ย ย
Chief Ranger for the Natchez Trace Parkway Prashant Lotwalaย said,ย โThe law enforcement park rangers at the Natchez Trace Parkway are a dedicated group of individuals whoย ensure the parkway isย asย safe as possible for parkย visitorsย to enjoy a scenic, leisurely drive.โย ย
The defendants who pled were:ย ย
โขย Caleb Agnew, Saltillo, Mississippiย ย
โขย Geoffrey Allen, 30, McCool, Mississippiย
โขย Daphne Barr, 27, Houston, Mississippiย
โขย Derrick Brister, 32, Tylertown, Mississippiย
โขย Angel Clements, 29, Tupelo, Mississippiย ย
โขย Nathan Frank, Booneville, Mississippiย
โขย Jocelyn Grimes, 21, Terry, Mississippiย
โขย Fantasia Judon, 29, Pontotoc, Mississippiย
โขย Asa Sewell, 36, El Dorado, Arkansasย
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Herzog Jr. prosecuted these offenses.ย ย
With the holiday season approaching, the Rangers of the National Park Service will be continuing their enforcement efforts to apprehend impaired drivers before they can endanger the public at large. Impaired driving led to the deaths of more than 13,000 people in 2021, the latest year that statistics were available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.ย
Media Release/Mandi Toy, Natchez Trace Parkway
