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Around 1:24 PM on April 26, 2024, Patrolman Nicholas Massaro with the Keyport Police Department responded to the parking lot of the Town & Country Inn on a report of an impaired woman who was asleep at the wheel. He arrived on scene and made contact with an off-duty corrections officer who informed him that he observed a female operating a black 2011 Chevrolet Malibu in an erratic manner. He then walked over to the Chevrolet Malibu and observed a female who was asleep in the driver seat. She awakened immediately after he knocked on her window, and she was eventually identified as Michaela Devino.

Sergeant Wheeler arrived on scene shortly afterwards to assist. She told the officers that she was heading home after leaving the methadone clinic. She also admitted to being under the influence of methadone since she had previously been an active user of other prohibited substances. The officers asked for consent to search her vehicle and told her that their K-9 partner would sniff outside the vehicle if she declined consent. Michaela initially hesitated before eventually consenting to the search. A search of her vehicle yielded a pipe along with paraphernalia.

Since they suspected that she may be impaired, Michaela was asked to perform field sobriety exercises. Her poor performance on the field sobriety exercises confirmed the officers’ suspicion of impairment. Based on her erratic driving, her admission to consuming methadone earlier that day, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Michaela was placed under arrest for DWI. The vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law.

Another officer transported Michaela to the Keyport Police Department for further processing. At the Keyport Police Department, the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators was read to her, and she agreed to submit breath samples. After they finished processing Michaela at the station, she was transported to Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, New Jersey for a blood draw. She was eventually released pending her court appearance.

Patrolman Massaro issued Michaela the following traffic tickets: 
-Operating under the influence (39:4-50)
-Reckless driving (39:4-96)
-Careless driving (39:4-97)
-Failure to possess driver license (39:3-29A)
-Failure to possess driver insurance card (39:3-29C)
-Driving or parking an unregistered motor vehicle (39:3-4)

She was also criminally charged with possession (2C:36-2A).

Court records indicate that on October 22, 2024, her citation for operating under the influence was dismissed. Instead, she pleaded guilty to reckless driving (39:4-96). As a result of her conviction, Michaela’s license was revoked for 6 months and she had to pay a total of $490 in fines. The other 4 citations and possession charge were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Michaela’s prior arrests include the following:
-Possession (2C:36-2A) in Tinton Falls, New Jersey on February 9, 2024 Possession (2C:35-10C) in Sayreville, New Jersey on August 28, 2023
-Possession (2C:36-2) in Keyport, New Jersey on July 2, 2017
-Possession (2C:35-10A(1)) in Long Branch, New Jersey on June 4, 2016
-Possession (2C:35-10A(1)) in Holmdel, New Jersey on May 4, 2015
-Simple assault (2C:12-1A) in Holmdel, New Jersey on December 24, 2014
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