Homeless man receives six-year prison sentence after fourth DUI conviction

A homeless man who was arrested on his fourth DUI charge nearly two years ago after running a red light was sentenced to six years behind bars. 

Thelton Hall will serve six years in prison after being found guilty of felony DUI for his fourth or subsequent offense. 

According to court records, before 2019, Hall had four prior driving under the influence arrests in 1992, 1996, 2003 and 2005. He also had two prior refusals in 2003 and 2005 and two prior driving while license suspended or revoked convictions in 1998 and 2005. 

In September 2019, Hall ran a red light without braking and almost collided into a Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and observed that Hall had bloodshot, watery eyes and could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. Hall refused to participate in field sobriety exercises, refused to provide a breath sample, and declined to answer any questions before deputies determined Hall’s driver’s license was suspended.

Hall was charged and convicted at trial of Felony DUI – Fourth or Subsequent Offense, Driving While License Suspended – 1 or More Prior Offenses, and Refusal to Submit to a Chemical or Physical Test. He was sentenced to six years in prison and was adjudicated a Habitual Felony Offender.