Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a concerning incident last night, 34-year-old Simon Ojeda-Cabellero was taken into custody, suspected of driving under the influence without a valid license. Adding to the alarm was the presence of a three-year-old child in the car. Ojeda-Cabellero, who is originally from Mexico, is reportedly in the United States illegally, according to information provided by his wife.
The arrest unfolded around 9:01 p.m. on August 9, when a vigilant deputy from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Department noticed Ojeda-Cabellero’s vehicle swerving unusually along the 5500 block of SW Archer Road. This erratic driving prompted the officer to initiate a traffic stop, suspecting a potential issue with the driver’s control.
Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy observed a distressing scene: a young child, merely three years old, seated in the back. Additionally, Ojeda-Cabellero exhibited several signs typically associated with alcohol consumption, such as slurred speech, a reddened face, dilated pupils, and bloodshot eyes. A can of cold Modelo beer was also visibly present inside the vehicle, further raising suspicions.
Ojeda-Cabellero’s performance in the subsequent field sobriety tests was reportedly inadequate, leading to his arrest. At the county jail, breathalyzer tests confirmed his blood alcohol content at 0.102 g/210L, reinforcing the charges against him.
Post Miranda, Ojeda-Cabellero reportedly said he’d only had two Mexican beers, about one or two hours before the traffic stop.
The deputy noted that Ojeda-Cabellero’s wife stated at the scene that Ojeda-Cabellero is in the United States illegally; when Ojeda-Cabellero was asked about his immigration status, he reportedly refused to answer the question. Ojeda-Cabellero was identified with a Mexican identification card.
Ojeda-Cabellero has been charged with DUI with a child under the age of 18 in the vehicle, child neglect, and driving without a valid license. His full criminal history is unavailable because the documents are not posted in cases involving minors, but he has a 2019 conviction for driving without a valid license. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $37,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.