Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation suspends official after drunken driving charge

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation suspended its chief of staff following his arrest on drunken driving and child endangerment charges, The New London Day reports.

Antonio M. Beltran was charged in connection with an incident in California in which his car collided with a light-rail train in April. Authorities say he had been drinking prior to the incident -- his blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit, FOX 11 reported at the time.

Beltran's two teenaged sons, who were passengers in the car, also had been drinking, according to police in Santa Monica. In addition to charges of driving under the influence with injury involved, their father is accused of child endangerment with serious injury and furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Beltran remains incarcerated in California on $380,000 bail, The Day reported. He was suspended without pay, according to an email the paper said was recently sent to tribal citizens.

The incident occurred near downtown Santa Monica in the early morning hours on Wednesday, April 18, according to the police department The train car is part of the Los Angeles Metro Expo Line.

"A preliminary investigation revealed the train was travelling west approaching Lincoln Blvd as a vehicle travelling north on Lincoln Blvd ran a red light causing the collision," the police department said.

Read More on the Story:
Mashantuckets mum on status of chief of staff (The New London Day June 4, 2018)