A panhandler was arrested Tuesday afternoon on a charge of disorderly intoxication in the center median of an intersection in Marion County.
A Marion County sheriff’s deputy responded to the intersection of SW State Road 200 and SW 60th Ave. around 4:45 p.m. in reference to a subject sleeping in the center median partially in the roadway, according to an arrest affidavit. Upon arrival, the deputy observed the homeless man, 59-year-old Joseph Eugene Ring, laying in the center east median propped against the road side, with his left foot on the white line and part of his foot was in the traffic southbound turn lane, the affidavit stated. Ring appeared to be asleep and the deputy could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. Upon waking up Ring, the deputy noted that Ring had bloodshot, watery eyes and his speech was extremely slurred. Ring admitted he had been drinking beer but did not know how much he had consumed. The arrest report noted that Ring was holding a sign which read “Out of Work God Bless.” Ring was not able to stand and the deputy had to assist him in getting up. Ring was unsteady on his feet and was not able to stand without assistance. He declined medical assistance.
MCSO had previously received a call that the defendant had been standing in the median panhandling and appeared to be intoxicated. Ring was taken into custody and was transported to the Marion County Jail, declining to take a breath test. Bond was set at $500.