Judge Brett Waronicki, who oversees substance abuse cases in Florida’s 19th Circuit Court, was arrested this week.

Why?

Driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia. Oh, the irony…

Officers pulled him over while he was driving recklessly in his Ford F-150. He was found, apparently drunk, with cocaine residue in his wallet.

Two other passengers in his truck were also cited for possessing cocaine.

Here are the details:

MARTIN COUNTY – Circuit Judge Brett M. Waronicki was arrested April 23 on DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia charges following a traffic stop in which two others also were arrested, according to a Martin County Sheriff’s spokesperson.

Some details about the traffic stop, such as the time and location, were not immediately available.

Waronicki, 46, was identified as the driver of the vehicle, with Wendy Ditroia, 43, as the front seat passenger and Christopher Greenman, 36, as the back seat passenger, sheriff’s spokesperson Christine Christofek stated.

Ditroia and Greenman each were arrested on a possession of cocaine charge while Greenman was arrested on an additional possession of drug paraphernalia charge.

A few weeks ago, law enforcement received a tip about Judge Waronicki’s alleged drug use.

According to the informant, he and his buddies are “party animals.”

More from WPTV:

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said that 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida Judge Brett Waronicki was one of the three people arrested in a traffic stop in Jensen Beach.

Waronicki, 46, faces charges of possession of paraphernalia and DUI refusal, the sheriff’s office said.

The county’s public information officer said Waronicki was the driver of the vehicle when it was pulled over at 10:41 p.m. at Northwest Jensen Beach Boulevard and Northwest Royal Oak Drive.

A probable cause affidavit said law enforcement pulled over Waronicki after the Ford F-150 he was driving failed “to maintain a single lane and was striking the fog line multiple times.”

The arrest report also said the pickup was spotted going through the roundabout with no lights on, and also striking the bike lane.

“When speaking with Waronicki, (a detective) observed him to have bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath,” according to the affidavit.

The judge told law enforcement that he had two Vodka drinks but had not had a drink since 6:30 p.m.

The report said Waronicki refused both a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer, claiming he “did nothing wrong.”

A powder-like substance was also located in Waronicki’s wallet, which investigators said later tested positive for cocaine.

You can watch some police body cam footage from the judge’s arrest right here from WPTV on Youtube:



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