RI State Rep. Who Joked Of Pot-Smoking Immigrants Arrested On DUI Charge And Marijuana Possession

Earlier this year, Rhode Island House Minority Leader Robert A. Watson (R) garnered attention when he made insensitive remarks about the General Assembly’s work at a meeting of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. Watson stated, “I suppose if you’re a gay man from Guatemala who gambles and smokes pot, you probably think that we’re onto some good ideas here.” He was quickly forced to apologize.

Yet last Friday Watson’s bigoted comment took an ironic twist. The state lawmaker was pulled over at a routine police checkpoint in East Haven, Connecticut. Police quickly arrested him when he appeared to be driving under the influence and possessing marijuana:

A Rhode Island state lawmaker who once criticized the state Legislature by invoking the image of pot-smoking immigrants denies a DUI charge he received after being arrested for alleged marijuana possession, The Providence Journal reports. House Minority Leader Robert Watson was arrested Friday at a police checkpoint in East Haven, Conn.
The Journal says the police report alleged that the Republican lawmaker’s eyes were “extremely glassy and bloodshot” and that he smelled of alcoholic beverages as well as the “distinct odor of marijuana.”

For his part, Watson “vehemently” denies the charges of both driving under the influence and possessing marijuana. He was released on a $500 bond and faces a court date of May 11.