Macon Co. Sheriff's deputy pleads guilty to driving under the influence in Indiana

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A Macon County Sheriff's Deputy arrested in Indiana has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence.

One month ago, Todd Choatie pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person. He was sentenced to 1 year of informal probation.

According to the Macon County Sheriff's Office, Choatie retired from the department on Dec. 12, 2024.

In October 2024, Indiana deputies arrested the 51-year-old. An affidavit signed by a Putnam County Sheriff's deputy stated that he had been called to US-40 for reports of a white sedan driving all over the road as well as off the road. He was then called to the scene of a crash nearby.

He found a white sedan in a yard off of US-40 with Choatie lying nearby. When the deputy approached Choatie to check his vitals, he had red, watery eyes and said that he hadn't been in a crash.

The sedan was still running and the deputy noted damage including a ripped rear bumper and marks that looked like tire rubs from a semi.

The deputy said he found a Glock 9mm handgun in the center console.

Choatie did not answer questions from the paramedics, refused a portable breath test from state police, and refused to explain what was in a medication bottle in his pocket according to the affidavit.

The deputy found a zip-lock bag with pills in addition to the bottle. The pills were identified as Adderall and Tramadol.

Choatie was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance.