Conroe judge charged with DWI responds to allegations against him

CONROE, Texas (KTRK) -- A Conroe judge accused of driving while intoxicated is speaking out for the first time since his arrest earlier this month.

Montgomery County District Attorney's Office records revealed new details about the arrest of Conroe Judge William Waggoner.

According to the blood search warrant for Waggoner, a Montgomery Police Department officer observed he was driving at a speed exceeding the posted 35 mph limit on Dec. 10.

The officer's radar then indicated that he was driving 61 mph, the document read.

Before turning on the red and blue emergency lights, the officer also saw the car driving on the single dotted line of the two-lane road, according to the document.

When approaching the car for the traffic stop, the document read, the officer "smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from this vehicle."

The document also noted that there was one empty can of Miller Lite beer on the front passenger floorboard.

According to the officer's description in the document, Waggoner said he was being tricked into making him appear as if he was drunk before warning the officer to "be aware that he is a judge."

ABC13 first reported the story of Waggoner being arrested with DWI before returning to his job as a municipal judge for the City of Conroe.

Court documents from the Texas Department of Public Safety obtained by ABC13 show Waggoner was arrested by the San Antonio Police Department for DWI in 2017. However, records show he plead guilty to obstructing a highway and was sentenced to a 12-month probation.

Records show Waggoner also faces an unlawful carrying of a weapon charge.

The Conroe judge released a statement Monday. He didn't deny the DWI allegations, but did deny telling the officer to "be aware that he is a judge."

"I have sworn an oath as a Marine, a Soldier, and a Judge. And today, I am speaking directly to you because the facts of this case are being twisted for political gain and cheap headlines.
Let's kill the lies right now. I do not have multiple DWIs. That is a fabrication designed to destroy my reputation before you hear the facts.
Here is the truth regarding the misinformation: Let's be clear that the legal outcomes in my past cases were correct based on the facts. Regarding the night in question, I never leveraged my title. Reports claiming I said 'be aware that he is a judge' are lies on a sworn affidavit that are directly contradicted by body-worn camera footage and transcripts. I respect the badge and expect no special treatment, however, I expect the truth.
Furthermore, the narrative of erratic driving is false. The dash camera clearly shows I was not driving on a single dotted line or pulling into a ditch. Finally, I carry a firearm in my vehicle, just as many Texans do. It was lawfully owned, safely secured, and never touched or displayed during this incident. To suggest the public was in danger is a lie.
Here is the context of that night.
I was informed that afternoon of a situation with one of my soldiers. Navigating that situation resurfaced difficult memories and the heavy weight of losing friends I served with to suicide.
I share this not to seek sympathy, but to be transparent about my state of mind. I had a bad day, but it does not excuse the conduct. I own that. I will have to handle this just as any citizen would and will remain transparent throughout.
But hear this:
My opponents think this is the moment to end me. They think a man with scars can't serve as a judge.
They are wrong.
We don't need more judges who sit in ivory towers, pretending they are perfect. We need judges who know what it means to be human. We need judges who have stood in the fire, who have faced the darkness, and who have come out the other side with their faith and their principles intact.
I treat every person who enters my courtroom equally. I don't see files; I see people. I don't rush to judgment, because I know what it feels like to be the one standing accused. Many have come forward recently stating exactly that, confirming they were treated with dignity and respect in my courtroom.
My scars don't make me weak. They make me fair.
I am not quitting. I am not hiding. I am asking you to reject the politics of personal destruction and judge me by my entire record of service, not by rumors. I ask for your prayers for my family, your forgiveness, and the opportunity to continue earning your trust every single day on the bench.
I am Judge William Waggoner. And I am just getting started."