Onyango Obama, 67, of Framingham, admitted to sufficient facts today in Framingham District Court to charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor. 

The Commonwealth recommended a guilty conviction with one year probation and a 45 day loss of license on the count of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor and requested a responsible finding for the failure to yield at an intersection charge. 

Framingham District Court Judge Douglas Stoddart sentenced the defendant to one year probation and imposed the statutorily mandated probation conditions of attending a driver alcohol education program and incurring a license loss of 45 days. Additionally, Judge Stoddart found the defendant not responsible for the failure to yield at an intersection charge.

Obama was also originally charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle.  That charge was nolle prosequi after today’s plea.

“By admitting to sufficient facts today to operating under the influence and failure to yield at an intersection, the defendant has admitted responsibility for the essence of the crime he committed and has now been held accountable for his actions,” District Attorney Gerry Leone said in a press release. 

According to authorities, on August 24, 2011, at approximately 7:05 pm, an on-duty Framingham Police Officer traveling in an unmarked cruiser on Waverly Street, approached the intersection of Waverly Street and South Street in Framingham. Upon entering the intersection, the officer observed a white Mitsubishi SUV rolling up to the stop sign on South Street. The vehicle then made a quick right turn to proceed east. As the Mitsubishi was turning, the officer was forced to quickly apply his breaks to avoid striking the motor vehicle.  The vehicle behind the cruiser was also required to do the same in order to avoid a collision.

The officer activated his lights and siren and pulled over the Mitsubishi. Upon speaking with the driver, who was later identified as the defendant, the officer observed the driver’s speech to be slurred, his eyes were red and glassy and there was an odor of alcohol coming from inside the motor vehicle.  The officer asked the defendant to exit the motor vehicle.  The defendant proceeded to fail several field sobriety tests and his blood alcohol level was .14, almost twice over the legal limit.

The defendant was arrested on scene and arraigned on August 25, 2011 in Framingham District Court where Judge Douglas Stoddart released the defendant on personal recognizance.  The defendant was then held on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Amanda Rowan.  This case was investigated by the Framingham Police Department.