A Mercedes police officer has been placed on administrative leave without pay following his Thursday morning arrest for driving while intoxicated.
McAllen police arrested 39-year-old John Henry Vega after the man was pulled over at around 2:55 a.m. in the 7100 block of North 10th Street for impeding traffic on a green controlled traffic signal light, Mercedes police said in a news release.
“Upon making contact the officer observed signs of intoxication and an open alcoholic beverage container,” the release stated.
Police say Vega refused a standardized field sobriety test and police obtained a search warrant for a blood draw.
Mercedes police said Vega is assigned to patrol and had been with the department for a little more than a year.
Interim Police Chief Blanca Sanchez is aware of the allegation and has requested all of the information and charges from the McAllen Police Department, according to the release.
Vega will remain on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
