MOUNT VERNON — A jury will hear a DUI charge brought against Mount Vernon High School’s athletic director.
The Mount Vernon City Law Director’s office confirmed Tuesday that charges of DUI and changing lanes/turn signals brought against MVHS AD Justin Sanford, 43, Sunbury, will be presented before a jury in Mount Vernon Municipal Court Thursday.
The charges against Sanford stem from Oct. 27, 2018. Sanford was stopped by Mount Vernon Police at 2 a.m., when he made a turn without signaling, according to court records.
After conducting sobriety tests, a MVPD officer decided to arrest Sanford for DUI. Sanford told police he had not been drinking, and was driving because he was giving a friend a ride who had consumed alcohol that evening.
Sanford refused to submit to a breath or urine alcohol test, which resulted in an automatic suspension of his driver’s license. He was picked up from the jail by a sober driver, according to court records.
The court later granted Sanford limited driving privileges. On Feb. 15, the court further allowed Sanford to renew his license while under suspension.
The trial was originally scheduled for Jan. 3, but the date was continued to Jan. 31. Due to a scheduling conflict, the trial was moved to Thursday’s date.
Sanford’s employment with MVHS has continued since the arrest.
Sanford is represented by attorney Daniel Sabol. Sabol was unavailable for comment, as of press time today.
