Toledo police officer sentenced for DWI

5/8/2004

An off-duty Toledo police officer who was cited in March for driving while intoxicated was sentenced this week in Maumee Municipal Court.

Jennifer Bechtel, 41, pleaded no contest and was found guilty of DWI on Thursday. Acting Judge Stacy Cook sentenced her to 180 days in jail, with 177 of the days suspended. The other three days will be served in a DWI program.

Ms. Bechtel was placed on probation for two years and ordered to pay $305 in fines and court costs. Her driver's license was suspended for 180 days, beginning March 27 - the date of the offense. A second citation for failing to stop at a stop sign was dismissed.

An Ohio Highway Patrol trooper cited Ms. Bechtel after he saw her run a stop sign at U.S. 20A and Airport Highway in Swanton Township. A motorist called the patrol to report a weaving vehicle and gave troopers its location.

An internal investigation into the matter by Toledo police is continuing. The 15-year officer was temporarily reassigned from the gang task force to the records bureau.