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DWI Suspect Eats Breathalyzer Results, Gets Arrested

By Brett Snider, Esq. on November 04, 2014 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

A DWI suspect arrested in New York is facing additional charges after he allegedly tried to eat his Breathalyzer test results.

According to The Associated Press, Kenneth Desormes, 40, was stopped for speeding on Interstate 95 on Sunday and arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. But back at the Tarrytown, New York, State Police station, Desormes allegedly tried to snatch and eat his Breathalyzer results as they were printing.

Will this DWI suspect get more than a tummyache for attempting to take a bite out of criminal justice?

'Chews' Your Own Misadventure

Desormes was charged with misdemeanor DWI, second degree obstructing governmental administration, and third degree criminal tampering. The DWI charge was supported by officers' observations of Desormes at the scene, as well as the Breathalyzer test which indicated he had a 0.13 percent blood alcohol content (BAC), reports Buffalo's WIVB-TV.

Perhaps knowing that the Breathalyzer test results could put him on the wrong side of New York's DWI laws, Desormes allegedly tried to snatch the results from the printer and eat them. Getting in the way of police investigation is almost certain to land you an obstruction of justice charge, and Desormes, while unique in his hunger for incriminating evidence, is no exception. The obstruction charge he faces is a Class A misdemeanor, which could mean up to a year in jail.

In addition, Desormes faces a criminal tampering charge. If convicted, that may add another three months to his potential sentence.

Hungry for Evidence

While Desormes may be one of a select few to try to eat a Breathalyzer printout, he's not the only one to try to eat incriminating evidence. Suspects who are frantically trying to destroy evidence of marijuana use or possession often try scarfing down any remaining "greens" before the cops show up. The success rate doesn't seem too high, but the suspects usually are. (*Rimshot*)

Evidence has also been gobbled up in order to make a point. In one recent case, Florida Crime Stoppers director Richard Masten was placed in contempt of court for refusing to reveal information related to a tipster ... by eating that piece of paper in front of the judge.

In Desormes' case, maybe his attorney will argue it was just a bad case of pica or the munchies.

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