By Erin Tracy The Modesto Bee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Sacramento man who mimicked a California Highway Patrol officer while driving drunk on Highway 99 in Stanislaus County last year was sentenced to five years in prison, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.
On Dec. 3, Gilbert Frank Marquez, 59, was driving without a seatbelt on Highway 99.
A CHP motorcycle officer pulled alongside Marquez and motioned for him to put on his seatbelt, according to the DA’s office. Instead, Marquez took his hands off the wheel and mimicked being a motorcycle rider, causing his car to drift into the officer’s lane.
During an enforcement stop, Marquez exhibited obvious signs of alcohol intoxication, according to the DA’s office. He was later determined to have a blood alcohol level of .23 percent, almost three times the legal limit.
Marquez’s criminal history included several misdemeanor and felony driving under the influence convictions. He has served three separate state prison terms — two for felony drunk driving in 2013 and 2009, as well as auto theft in 2004, according to the DA’s office.
On Friday, Marquez pleaded no contest to felony driving under the influence and admitted to his three prior prison commitments before Judge Thomas Zeff. Upon entry of the plea, Zeff sentenced Marquez to five years in state prison.