News and Investigations

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman for driving while impaired on Friday night, October 20, 2023; the woman told deputies she was a third grade teacher at Sky View Elementary School in the city of Pinellas Park.

52-year old Leslie Spence of Tampa was taken to the PCSO Sheriff’s Processing Center where she was charged with Driving under the Influence with a Breath Alcohol Content of .15 or Higher (M1).

“Children learn from adults and educators, so if you fall under both of those categories, it is imperative that you’re setting a good example. Since Ms. Spence failed to do that, we’re going to use this as a teaching moment—don’t drive drunk. It’s dangerous and you’ll end up in detention at the Polk County Jail.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

At about 10:44 pm, a good citizen saw something, and said something. The witness reported a vehicle traveling east on State Road 60 at about 25mph and swerving across lanes.

A PCSO deputy caught up to the silver Ford SUV and conducted a traffic stop on SR 60, just west of US 27 in Lake Wales.

The deputy noted that Ms. Spence had slurred speech with a strong odor of alcoholic beverage, and her eyes were bloodshot and watery.
 
After a field sobriety test, Ms. Spence was placed under arrest for DUI.

At one point, Ms. Spence said to the deputy “my father is a lawyer and he will sue every single one of you.”

Ms. Spence provided two breath samples; one measured 0.213 G/210L and the other 0.214 G/210L. Both samples were well over twice the legal threshold of 0.08 G/210L. 

In addition to the criminal charge of DUI, Ms. Spence was also given a citation for failing to maintain a single lane.

Inquiries regarding Ms. Spence's employment status should be directed to the Pinellas County School Board.