Friday, just before 5:00 PM, Thomas Sachetti, 68, of Lakeview, was stopped by law enforcement after deputies saw a red Chevy Silverado 3500 towing an enclosed trailer without a license plate on US 33.
During the traffic stop, deputies smelled the strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from the truck and noticed that Sachetti showed several signs of impairment.
He admitted to drinking earlier in the day and admitted there was a firearm inside the vehicle.
A search of a black bag within reach of the driver recovered a loaded Springfield Hellcat 9mm pistol with a red laser, along with an extra magazine and several rounds of ammunition.
Four open cans of hard seltzer were also found in the vehicle, one partially full, all within arm’s reach of the driver.
Sachetti refused to complete field sobriety tests and also declined a breath alcohol test at the Logan County Jail.
He was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle impaired and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.
Sachetti was issued a citation for OVI and given a verbal warning regarding the missing trailer license plate.
