Hernando deputy charged with DUI

Deputy David Feger might have received his last paycheck with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

He also faces the possibility of a misdemeanor conviction followed by jail time, probation, community service and a steep fine.

The State Attorney's Office charged him this week with DUI and the sheriff's office promptly placed him on administrative leave without pay, according to a letter from Sheriff Al Nienhuis.

Feger was not arrested, but issued a summons.

"Due to an ongoing administrative investigation in which you are a subject member and based on the State Attorney's decision to issue you a summons for Driving Under the Influence, you are being placed on administrative leave without pay effective June 6, 2011," Nienhuis wrote.

Feger was investigated after witnesses said they saw his vehicle swerving off the road as he was driving home from a Spring Hill bar the morning of April 24, deputies said.

Feger, a former detective, was off-duty at the time.

Deputies arrived at his house after the witnesses called 911. Feger was inside his house when deputies arrived, according to the sheriff's office.

Criminal and internal affairs investigations were opened and Feger was placed on paid suspension.

Sgt. Donna Black, a sheriff's spokeswoman, said the ongoing internal affairs investigation won't conclude until the criminal case against Feger is complete.

Assistant State Attorney Sonny McCathran confirmed Tuesday morning he had filed a DUI charge against Feger. He said statements from witnesses and deputies are part of the evidence.

Feger, who has been employed since April 2002, has been suspended three times by the sheriff's office.

In December 2008, he was sent home after his supervisors smelled alcohol on him soon after he reported to work.

Feger told them he had consumed a third of a bottle of whiskey the night before, according to his IA report.

He was driven to a drug-screening facility and was told to turn in his credentials. He was reinstated a short time later, deputies said.

During the morning of April 24, two women noticed Feger driving recklessly and called 911. They followed him home and described his erratic driving to the emergency dispatcher, according to the sheriff's office.

Feger, who appeared severely inebriated, parked his car in front of his house, noticed the women pull up behind him and began flirting with them, deputies said.