DWI, Weapon Plea Leads to 1-Year License Loss

Unless otherwise noted, files at Washington County Superior Court contain the information about the following court cases. You can review them at the McGrath Judicial Complex.

John A. Lachappelle, 68, of 76 Biscuit City Road, Charlestown, pleaded no contest on Feb. 5 to South Kingstown police charges of carrying a weapon while under the influence – a felony – and drunken driving.

Lachappelle was ordered to pay $1,327 in fines and assessments, to surrender his license for a year retroactive to June 4, and to complete DWI school and 10 hours of community service. Assuming he completes these terms within incident, a deferred sentence would not be imposed.

According to South Kingstown police reports including in court files, at about 5:32 p.m. on May 20, they received a call of an erratic driver on Ministerial Road near Kingstown Road.

Police said a vehicle driven by Lachappelle matched the caller’s description, and he failed field sobriety tests. An inventory of his vehicle revealed a Smith and Wesson .38 special revolver, an open jug of Chablis wine and two nips of vodka.

According to police, Lachappelle refused to submit to a chemical test. In return for his plea, this charge was dismissed. According to online records, Lachappele did not have a previous arrest.

If we’re missing a case you’re interested in knowing about, feel free to leave a comment or to send Local Editor Stephen Greenwell a message at Stephen.greenwell@patch.com. We typically write up the summaries once a case has been resolved – a dismissal, a plea, or a guilty or not guilty finding.

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