Reckless Operation In The Erie Canal Results In Stop

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports Deputies Okal and Kent arrested Steven Villont, 46 of Niagara Falls, for BWI on July 16 around 7:15 P.M. 

The Marine Unit was patrolling the Erie Barge Canal in the City of Tonawanda when the observed the vessel, operated by Villont, violating navigational laws.  The unit stopped the vessel and performed an inspection, during this time Deputy Okal detected the odor of alcohol coming from the defendant’s breath.  After failing standard field sobriety tests and registering a BAC level more than 1.5 times the legal limit, Villont was taken into custody. 

The subject is charged with BWI, reckless operation of a vessel- unreasonable speed and an additional navigational law violation.  Villont was released to a sober third party with tickets returnable to Tonawanda City Court.