Resident: Naked Boat Driver Dangerous On River
Now picture this: A 23-foot cabin cruiser making its way down the Cumberland River.
VideoThe boater standing up behind the steering wheel was naked.That's right, in the buff, said Johnny Carter, who was fishing on the river.Carter said the cruiser came so close to him that the waves washed over the top of his boat and swept his craft against the rocky shore and damaged it.That's when Carter said he noticed the man was alone and wasn't wearing a stitch of clothing. There was more, Carter said, but I won't go into that.A half-dozen kids were across the river riding their inner tubes and two cruisers were anchored nearby.Carter said he yelled at the man to put on his clothing, but, the fisherman claims, the man tried, but was too drunk to get into his shorts.Carter called 911 and officers of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency arrived.45-year-old Robert DeWayne Johnson, an ex-handy-man who married into Belle Meade society, was charged with indecent exposure, intoxication and reckless and negligent operation of his boat.Johnson was arrested and released on $2,000 bond. His court appearance hearing was set for August 23.Carter said he was told by TWRA Officer Matthew Brian that they did not need to appear at the hearing, but both would be subpoenaed later for their testimony.Instead, in a quick court settlement, Johnson pleaded guilty to the reckless boat charge and the prosecutor dropped the indecent exposure and intoxication charges.Brian and Carter were still waiting for their subpoenas when I told them to forget it, the case was already over.Johnson was given a $50 fine, $266 in court fees and a 30-day suspended jail sentence.He's no stranger to police. He's previously been arrested five times on DUI charges.Carter is not happy. He wanted to tell the judge what he witnessed. He's going to sue Johnson for his damaged boat.Sometimes, justice may move a little too swift.
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