Bob Moon

A 19-year-old woman was given a one-year suspended sentence for drinking underage after an East Ridge bench clerk allegedly told the police officer who arrested her to let the woman go.

Jacqueline White, of 708 Haven Hill Drive in East Ridge, admitted in Hamilton County General Sessions Court that she had a few sips of Tilt, an alcoholic beverage, before East Ridge Officer Matt Talley arrested her on March 31 in a convenience store parking lot on Ringgold Road.

Officer Talley testified Thursday that he was told by East Ridge Bench Clerk Mary Lou Whaley not to arrest Ms. White.

Ms. White testified she and Ms. Whaley were good friends.

“I was not drunk,” Ms. White said. “She knows I wouldn’t do something like that. (The officer) just treated me really unfairly from the time I pulled up.”

After consulting with his supervisor, Officer Talley took the incident to the Hamilton County magistrate, who signed a bond for Ms. White, which meant she would have to appear in a Hamilton County court.

Judge Bob Moon questioned why the case was brought before him if it occurred in East Ridge, and he said he hoped the incident did not set a precedent.

“I hope that’s not going to become a familiar custom,” he said before sentencing Ms. White to a year in jail, which was suspended pending she pay court costs and receive an assessment by the Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services. Her driver’s license also was revoked for one year.

Ms. White previously had been charged with a DUI, which later was reduced to reckless driving. She also had a theft charge on her record, she testified.

Ms. Whaley could not be reached Thursday for comment.

East Ridge City Clerk Jo Ann Thomas said Thursday that she did not know anything about the incident. East Ridge City Judge Arvin Reingold could not be reached for comment.