GPD: ACSO jail captain arrested for driving drunk

An Alachua County jail captain was arrested early Sunday morning for driving drunk, Gainesville Police said.

Michael Donovan, who is the support services division captain at the county jail, was walking out of Xclusive Cafe and Lounge, located at 1221 E. University Ave., when a Gainesville officer patrolling on foot saw Donovan, 51, stumble to his car at about 2 a.m., according to an arrest report. Donovan started his car and tried to back out of his parking space to leave, but the officer stopped him.

The GPD officer talked with Donovan and noticed the smell of alcohol on his breath and slurred speech, according to the report. Police said Donovan’s eyes were bloodshot and his face was flush. The officer also said Donovan struggled to sit up in his driver’s seat.

He stumbled and swayed, the officer noticed, according to the report.

Donovan refused to give a breath sample and was arrested on the charge of driving under the influence. He was transported to the jail where he was released on his own recognizance Sunday.

Donovan was placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation, said Sgt. Chris Sims, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

The support services division captain’s responsibilities include tracking the inmate population and acting as a liaison between the facility and the community mental health provider and other criminal justice agencies, according to the jail’s website.

Donovan