Chief Holloway and the command staff reviewed the Office of Professional Standards case of Sergeant Lesandro Santiago being arrested for DUI on December 22, 2018. The Board sustained the complaints of Conviction/Guilt of a Felony or a Misdemeanor and Conduct Unbecoming of an Employee.

Background: On December 22nd, 2018, around 3 a.m., a Pinellas Sheriff’s deputy stopped Sgt. Lesandro Santiago, in his personal car, on 4th Street South near 11th Avenue South. According to the arrest affidavit, he was stopped for swerving and failing to maintain his vehicle in a lane. He was charged with DUI. On June 20th, 2019, Santiago pled no contest to a D.U.I charge.

Santiago was sworn as a St. Petersburg Police officer on March 31, 2003.

The consequences at the Department will be:

-A demotion to the rank of Officer
-Must abstain from the use of all products containing alcohol for five (5) years.
-Will submit to periodic, random alcohol and drug testing for a period of 18 months.
-Will not commit any violations involving alcohol or criminal activity.