Somerset County Police Chief Charged With DUI
FRUITLAND, Md. (AP) -- The Somerset County Sheriff's Office says the police chief of Fruitland was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
Deputies say Chief Michael Phillips was arrested after a traffic stop about 10:25 p.m. Sunday in Princess Anne. Authorities say Phillips was charged with DUI, DWI and following too closely.
Phillips' lawyer, John Phoebus, said in a statement Monday that Phillips was driving his personal car, was off duty, unarmed and not in uniform when he was arrested.
Phoebus says the Fruitland City Council put Phillips on paid administrative leave Monday at Phillips' request.
Phillips has been chief of the Fruitland Police Department since 2008. He previously had been a Maryland State trooper for 22 years.
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