On Saturday, June 7, 2025, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 42-year-old Michael Dimeglio for DUI after he nearly crashed into a deputy’s patrol vehicle while driving on Socrum Loop Road North in Lakeland.

Dimeglio’s Chevrolet Camaro was observed drifting through lanes before veering into oncoming traffic late Saturday night. He then swerved back into his lane and into the path of a PCSO deputy, forcing the deputy to brake suddenly to avoid a collision.

Deputies conducted a traffic stop near a Publix, where Dimeglio failed to stop his car multiple times before finally coming to a stop. Upon contact, deputies observed he had bloodshot, watery eyes and detected the odor of alcohol on his breath.

When asked for his driver’s license, he began patting his pockets then looked up without saying anything. He was asked a second time, to which he reacted as if he had forgotten and looked within his center console, looked up, and failed to respond again. After being asked for the third time, he claimed the license was in the trunk.

Upon exiting the vehicle, deputies observed that Dimeglio was unsteady, slurring his speech, and had dilated pupils. He needed to lean on his vehicle for support.

Dimeglio admitted he was returning from the beach and that he had consumed alcohol while he was there. He had a BAC of .168, more than twice the legal limit.

Dimeglio told deputies that he was a police officer for the city of Norwalk, Connecticut for 9 years and was terminated in 2020 for misconduct.

He was charged with DUI (M2).

"This reckless behavior put lives in danger, and it's especially disappointing coming from someone who once wore a badge. Law enforcement officers are held to a higher standard, and this former officer made a choice that could have cost lives." - Grady Judd, Sheriff