MIAMI (AP) - A Secret Service
officer was arrested early Friday after being found passed out and apparently
drunk on a Miami street corner several hours after President Barack Obama left
the state following day trip to the city, police in Florida said.
A Miami
police officer found Aaron Francis Engler around 7 a.m., lying near an
intersection not far from a popular night spot in downtown Miami. According to an arrest affidavit,
Engler had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol. He was
arrested on two misdemeanor counts after becoming combative with the arresting
officer. Police say Engler started throwing his arms around while he was being
searched and hit the officer in the chin.
Miami police say Engler has been released
to members of the Secret Service's Miami
field office.
The Secret Service in Washington said the case
will be turned over to the agency's Office of Professional Responsibility.
A law enforcement official said
Engler was assigned to the agency's uniformed division and was in Miami in a support role
while the president was visiting. The official spoke on the condition of
anonymity to discuss the officer's job with the agency.
Obama was in Miami
Thursday for a campaign rally at the University
of Miami and an evening
fundraiser.
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