Oxford man charged with OUI after allegedly driving 51 mph in 35 zone with two loaded guns in truck

DUDLEY — On Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 7:20 p.m., Officer Byron Lara of the Dudley Police Department was conducting speed enforcement in the vicinity of Dudley Oxford Road and Laure Lane.

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Byron Lara and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

At approximately 7:23 p.m., Officer Lara observed an orange Ford F-150 pickup truck in the eastbound lane of Dudley Oxford Road which appeared to be traveling at a speed greater than the posted speed limit.

“I activated my handheld Lidar unit and verified the vehicle’s speed to be 51 mph in a posted 35 mph zone,” Officer Lara said. “I proceeded to safely pull out of my location, activate the cruiser’s overhead emergency blue lights, and position my cruiser behind the vehicle to initiate a motor vehicle stop. The vehicle pulled over safely and without incident in the area of 2 Wayne Avenue.”

Officer Lara said he then called the vehicle stop into dispatch and used the mobile data terminal in his cruiser to run a query on the vehicle’s registration through the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) database.

According to Officer Lara, the query of the 2017 orange Ford F-150 revealed that the vehicle’s registration was active and registered to an individual by the name of Jared Paquette. The results also indicated that Paquette possessed a valid License to Carry (LTC).

According to police, Jared M. Paquette, 32, is a resident of Larned Road in Oxford, MA.

“I exited my cruiser and approached the vehicle on the driver’s side. Once at the vehicle, I made contact with the operator who was later identified as the registered owner of the vehicle,” Officer Lara said. “As soon as I approached the driver’s window Paquette stated, ‘Ah man, you got me.’ I asked Paquette what he meant and he stated ‘I was driving too fast.’ I advised Paquette that he was correct and advised him that the stop was initiated due to his vehicle’s speed.”

Officer Lara said he then asked Paquette to provide him with his license and registration, which he proceeded to do without incident.

“Before reaching for his wallet Paquette asked if it was okay for him to reach,” Officer Lara said. “I asked Paquette if he had any weapons inside of the vehicle and he stated no. Paquette was advised he was able to reach for his wallet. During the brief interaction with Paquette, I noted that his eyes were watery and bloodshot, and his facial expression appeared sluggish and drowsy, a start contrast to the alert demeanor shown in his driver’s license photo. Additionally, the driver’s speech was noticeably thick-tongued and slurred and the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage appeared to be coming from his mouth. To this point in contact, I had observed classic signs of alcohol intoxication that I’ve encountered in countless individuals who are noticeably impaired as a result of alcohol consumption.”

Officer Lara asked Paquette if he drank any alcohol prior to driving his vehicle and he said no.

“I advised Paquette that the odor of an alcoholic beverage was very strong and asked again if he had consumed any alcohol. Paquette once again stated no,” Officer Lara said.

Officer Lara informed Paquette that he will be asked to step out of the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests.

“At this time, I advised dispatch to send another unit to my location for assistance,” Officer Lara said.

Shortly after, Sergeant Keith Remillard arrived on scene to assist.

“Paquette exited his vehicle without incident and appeared unsteady on his feet while he made his way toward the rear of the vehicle,” Officer Lara said. “I advised Paquette that I would be conducting a series of field sobriety tests on him to determine if he was impaired. My cruiser lights were turned off, and the ground was flat and clear of any debris. Paquette was advised to not start any tests until told to do so. I asked if he had any medical/vision problems or impairment that would not allow him to perform these tests. Paquette stated he had broken his ankle years ago but should be fine. Paquette was wearing sneakers which he stated he felt comfortable performing the tests in.”

The first test Officer Lara asked Paquette to perform was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, a field sobriety test. According to findlaw.com, the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test is a field sobriety test where an officer has an individual follow an object (such as a pen tip or pen light) with his/her eyes. The HGN test checks for the involuntary jerking of one’s eyes as they gaze side to side. This involuntary jerkiness is said to increase while under the influence of alcohol.

“Paquette was instructed to stand with his feet together and keep his arms down by his sides,” Officer Lara said. “I held my finger approximately fifteen inches from Paquette’s nose and at eye level. Paquette was advised to follow the tip of my finger with his eyes only without moving his head. During this test, I observed the following:

• Equal pupil sizes
• Equal tracking
• Lack of smooth pursuit in the left and right eye
• Distinct and sustained nystagmus in both the left and right eye at maximum deviation
• Onset of nystagmus in both the left and right eye prior to forty-five degrees”

Officer Lara said that throughout the entirety of the test, Paquette swayed from side to side, requiring multiple reminders to keep his head still and follow the movement of the officer’s finger with only his eyes.

The second test Officer Lara asked Paquette to perform was the “walk-and-turn” test. The walk-and-turn test requires the individual to walk heel-to-toe in a straight line with their hands at their sides for about nine steps (counted out loud), then turn around and return to the starting point in the same way.

“Paquette was instructed to stand with his right foot in front of his left foot, touching heel to toe, and to keep his arms tightly down by his sides,” Officer Lara said. “I instructed Paquette to remain in this position while I gave him instructions for the test. Paquette was unable to stand with his right foot in front of his left foot touching heel to toe without losing his balance and removed his feet from the instructed position twice.”

Officer Lara then demonstrated the test for Paquette.

“Paquette was instructed to take nine steps forward in a straight line, touch heel to toe on each step, keep his arms tightly down by his sides, count each step out loud, take a series of nine steps, turning 180 degrees and repeat the steps back in the exact manner,” Officer Lara said. “I advised Paquette to perform the test exactly as I instructed him and not to stop at any time. Paquette then placed his hand on his chest and stated that his heart was racing.”

Officer Lara said he then asked Paquette if he needed medical attention and he declined.

“Paquette stated he had type one diabetes but he was fine. Paquette stated that he understood the instructions and was instructed to begin the test,” Officer Lara said.

Officer Lara said that during the walk-and-turn test, he observed Paquette do the following (the following are direct quotations from Officer Lara’s report):

• After being instructed to begin the test Paquette took over one minute to begin
• On steps 1-9, Paquette did not count out loud
• On steps 1-9, Paquette stepped offline on all steps
• On steps 1-9, Paquette raised his arms to help balance
• On steps 1-9, Paquette took 10 total steps
• On steps 1-9, Paquette made an improper turn
• On steps 10-18, Paquette was unsteady
• On steps 10-18, Paquette stepped offline on all steps
• On steps 10-18, Paquette raised his arms to help balance
• On steps 10-18, Paquette took 11 total steps

The third test Officer Lara asked Paquette to perform was the “one leg stand.” This test involves lifting one leg about six inches off the ground, while holding the foot in a position parallel to the ground, with arms kept at the sides.

“Paquette was instructed to stand with his feet together and arms down by his sides,” Officer Lara said. “I advised Paquette to choose what leg he felt most comfortable with, raise his foot approximately six inches off the ground keeping his legs straight, keeping his arms tightly by his sides, and count out loud by one thousand until I told him to stop. I was able to demonstrate the test without issue. Paquette raised his right foot for one second and put it down. Paquette raised his right foot again for a second time and once again put it down without counting.”

The fourth test Officer Lara administered was a preliminary breath test (PBT).

“Paquette completed the PBT and the reading on the PBT showed a result of 0.206% blood alcohol content (BAC),” Officer Lara said. “Throughout the entirety of the field sobriety tests, the odor of an alcoholic beverage became stronger and appeared to be coming from Paquette’s mouth. At this time, Paquette admitted to drinking 3 tall cans (23.5 fl oz) of Smirnoff Ice Smash.”

At this time, Officer Lara placed Paquette under arrest for operating under the influence of alcohol.

Officer Lara then handcuffed Paquette and placed him in the back of his cruiser.

“It should be noted the prisoner compartment was checked at the beginning of the shift and found to be clear of any weapons or contraband,” Officer Lara added. “I transported Paquette to the Dudley Police Department for booking. S&H Auto was contacted to tow the vehicle from the scene.”

While Paquette was being booked, Sergeant Remillard remained on scene with the vehicle to await the tow and conduct a motor vehicle inventory.

“After being advised of his applicable OUI rights, Paquette refused to submit breath samples for the chemical breath tests and was entered as a refusal,” Officer Lara said. “During the booking process, Sergeant Remillard advised that he had located the following:

• Three empty 23.5 fluid ounce cans of Smirnoff in the rear seat
• One unopened and cold to the touch 23.5 fluid ounce can of Mike’s Harder Mango on the front passenger seat”

In addition, Sergeant Remillard located the following firearms in the center console of the vehicle:

• One .22 caliber Ruger LCP II in a black holster, with a magazine in the firearm, but no round loaded in the chamber
  • One 10 round magazine
  • 10 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition
• One .45 caliber S&W Shield in a black holster with a magazine inserted in the firearm and one round in the chamber
  • One seven round magazine
  • Eight rounds of .45 caliber ammunition

“After the motor vehicle inventory was completed, S&H Auto took possession of the vehicle,” Officer Lara said. “Both firearms were seized, processed, and logged as evidence, and will be sent out for testing.”

Paquette’s bail was set at $500.

“Paquette was able to use the phone to contact his mother for bail money,” Officer Lara said. “Paquette was then transported to the Webster Police Department to wait for bail.”

Jared Paquette was charged with the following:

• OUI-Liquor
• Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Speeding
• Firearm, Intoxicated Licensee Carry (two counts)

“Paquette was issued a copy of the Notice of License Suspension and Massachusetts Uniform Citation [# redacted],” Officer Lara said. “Due to Paquette residing and being issued his LTC out of the Town of Oxford, the Oxford Police Department was contacted and made aware of the situation. The Oxford Police Department seized all firearms located at Paquette’s residence.”

Paquette was arraigned in Dudley District Court on June 13, 2025. Following his arraignment, Paquette was released on personal recognizance. On July 25, 2025, Paquette attended a pretrial hearing, which was continued to Aug. 21, 2025.

Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in June, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.

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