Sheriff Brian Hess announces the arrest of Fausto Elizo Guerrero Benalcazar, 26, of Peekskill, New York, following a traffic stop that resulted in felony Driving While Intoxicated charges.
On May 31, 2026, at approximately 1:43 a.m., members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop after observing a vehicle cross over the double yellow center line on Route 22 in the Town of Southeast.
During the investigation, deputies determined that the operator of the vehicle was intoxicated. A six-year-old child was also found to be a passenger in the vehicle. Guerrero Benalcazar was taken into custody and transported to the Putnam County Correctional Facility for processing.
Guerrero Benalcazar was charged with:
- Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child Passenger Under 16 (Leandra’s Law) – Class E Felony
- Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (BAC .18% or Higher) – Misdemeanor
- Driving While Intoxicated – Misdemeanor
- Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content of .08% or Greater – Misdemeanor
- Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device – Infraction
Guerrero Benalcazar was arraigned in the Town of Southeast Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.
