St. Pete Police Sergeant Demoted Following DUI Arrest

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A St. Petersburg Police sergeant arrested for driving under the influence will be demoted back down to the rank of officer.

St. Petersburg Police Anthony Chief Holloway and the command staff reviewed the Office of Professional Standards case against Sgt. Lesandro Santiago and determined that his actions constituted conduct unbecoming an employee.

Around 3 a.m. Dec. 22, a Pinellas Sheriff's deputy stopped Santiago who was driving his personal car on 4th Street South near 11th Avenue South. According to the arrest affidavit, he was stopped for swerving and failing to maintain his vehicle in a lane and was charged with DUI.

On June 20, Santiago, who was sworn in as a St. Petersburg Police office on March 31, 2003, pleaded no contest to the charge.

In addition to the demotion, the command staff mandated that Santiago abstain from the use of all products containing alcohol for five years and submit to periodic, random alcohol and drug testing for 18 months.