BEDFORD – Justin W. Gosciniak of Petersburg was arrested for public intoxication at Lawrence County Superior Court 1 on Tuesday, May 6.
According to the affidavit for probable cause, Lawrence County Police Department Sgt. Ronnie Blackburn was in the courtroom to transport inmates when the incident occurred. Sgt. Blackburn reported hearing Gosciniak swearing and expressing his disagreement with his charges.
The affidavit states that Gosciniak then walked through a gate into the defense table area of the courtroom without permission. Sgt. Blackburn noted a strong odor of alcohol on Gosciniak’s breath.
The behavior continued as Gosciniak reportedly interrupted the Judge, speaking loudly and out of turn. Eventually, Judge John Plummer III directed Sgt. Blackburn is to take Gosciniak into custody.
Gosciniak was taken into custody, and a portable breath test was administered, which resulted in a blood-alcohol level of 0.226. He was then arrested for public intoxication and transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
