CHESNEE MAN RECEIVES 5-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR DRUNK DRIVING CONVICTION

A Chesnee man has been sentenced to five years in prison after he was convicted of driving under the influence for the fifth time in 10 years.

Roger D. Johnson, 68, of 103 Florida Ave., was convicted of driving under the influence fourth or subsequent offense in a trial Monday before Circuit Judge Larry Patterson. The jury deliberated about 45 minutes before rendering its verdict. Johnson received the maximum sentence allowed under state law.

During the trial, Assistant Solicitor Jason Davis told the jury that Johnson was arrested about 11:40 p.m. Oct. 31, 2002 on Highway 221. The traffic stop occurred after Johnson was clocked traveling 60 mph in a 35 mph zone.

During the traffic stop, Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Dwayne K. Darity detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from Johnson. Darity also noted that Johnson’s eyes were blood shot and he appeared unsteady on his feet. Johnson refused to take a Datamaster blood alcohol test when he was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Facility.

Johnson’s other convictions for driving under the influence occurred in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999.