Frederick County Deputy Guilty Of DWI

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- A Frederick County Sheriff's deputy is on probation after pleading guilty to an off-duty, drunken driving offense.

The Frederick News-Post reports Deputy First Class Robert Phillips pleaded guilty Wednesday in Frederick County District Court to driving while impaired.

He received probation before judgment, meaning his conviction will be expunged if he completes his sentence of one year of supervised probation. Phillips also was fined $200.

The seven-year veteran was arrested early Feb. 9 after his pickup truck was seen repeatedly drifting into an oncoming traffic lane. A preliminary breath test registered a blood-alcohol level of 0.16 percent, twice the legal limit.

The sheriff's office suspended Phillips' police powers after his arrest. An internal investigation is underway.