Boukari Busted for Drunk Driving
Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers arrested Habib Bryan Boukari, 45, early Sunday morning and charged him with driving under the influence (DUI).
According to the arrest report, around 3:30 a.m., GPD Officer Ellis Anderson, who was accompanied by Field Training Officer Jason Rowe, conducted a traffic stop on Boukari on the 400 block of SW 34th St. and Hull Rd. Anderson reported that Boukari was "swerving back and forth across lanes" and "drifted over toward the median and almost struck the curb."
Anderson reported, “I made contact with DEF at his vehicle and detected a moderate odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. The DEF was the driver and only occupant. The DEF had watery eyes and advised that he had two drinks earlier in the night. While speaking with DEF outside his vehicle, I still detected the odor of alcoholic beverage coming out of his breath as he spoke to me. DEF also had slightly slurred speech and was having difficulty staying on track during the conversation. DEF had difficulty answering simple questions and was confused about the situation even after I explained what was going on several times.”
Boukari agreed to perform a field sobriety test; however, Anderson reported that he had "difficulty understanding the instructions," and performed poorly, stumbling during the “walk and turn” test. Anderson reported that during the "one leg stand" test, Boukari "constantly put his foot down while counting and continuously asked me when he could be done, even though I explained to him several times that I would tell him when he was done with the exercise."
Anderson went on to report, “When placed in handcuffs, the DEF immediately began to complain that he was having a panic attack and began to show signs of trouble breathing. The DEF also began saying that his chest hurt, the DEF was normal and fine before being placed in handcuffs. EMS arrived shortly afterwards and transported him to the hospital. His vitals were completely normal despite not cooperating with EMS. I was unable to ask for a breath test due to the DEF going to the hospital.”
Boukari was released on recognizance under the orders of Judge Meshon Rawls, who placed pretrial release conditions on him to not drive without a license and to not consume drugs or alcohol.
Boukari notified the court that he will consult a private attorney.
GnvInfo obtained Boukari’s booking report from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office (ACSO), but it doesn’t contain his mugshot.
The booking report shows police temporarily confiscated Boukari's property while he was in jail, which included a broken whoop band, two citations and an orange folder with confidential papers.
The booking report also shows Boukari wasn't booked into jail until 6:28 p.m., over 12 hours after GPD arrested him.
GnvInfo sent a follow up message to ACSO Records regarding the absence of Boukari's booking photo and the discrepancy in his time of arrest. An employee responded, "Mr. Boukari was not booked into the jail until 18:28 not really sure where [the] other 12 hours went. Mugshot attached."
This isn’t the first time Boukari has faced a DUI charge. He was charged with a DUI in 2010, but it was dropped due to insufficient evidence, court records show.
Last year, Boukari’s brother, Adam Boukari, faced public scrutiny following the release of a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) memorandum which contained allegations that he committed sexual abuse against minor boys at Alachua County Today/Boukari Law, PA.
Although his brother now faces jail time for drunk driving, Alachua County court records show no charges have been pressed against Adam Boukari.
