Valrico Man Arrested for DUI in Polk County With Two Children in Car
- iSkyNews.com
- Mar 6
- 3 min read
By Ciara Perez, News Reporter | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)
Published March 6th, 2025
Davenport, FL – A Valrico man with a history of DUI arrests was caught driving impaired once again—this time with two young children in his vehicle. Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 46-year-old James Ray Tompkins on Friday evening after they observed him driving in the eastbound emergency lane of Interstate 4 in Davenport.
The traffic stop occurred around 6:15 p.m. on February 28, 2025, when deputies pulled over Tompkins' red SUV. Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy noted clear signs of impairment—glassy, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol. Tompkins was also swaying as he stepped out of the vehicle.
According to the sheriff’s office, Tompkins admitted to having “one bourbon mixed drink” and claimed he was driving on the shoulder to avoid congestion. He was traveling with two children, ages 5 and 8, whom he said he was taking to Disney World.
Field sobriety tests confirmed multiple signs of impairment. However, upon arrival at the Sheriff’s Processing Center, Tompkins refused to submit a breath sample for a breath alcohol content (BAL) test.
Prior DUI Convictions
A background check revealed that this was not Tompkins’ first encounter with law enforcement for impaired driving. He has two prior DUI arrests and a total of five convictions for DUI-related offenses in Highlands and Hillsborough counties:
June 2007 – Convicted of DUI and DUI refusal in Highlands County.
June 2012 – Convicted of DUI serious bodily injury, DUI property damage, and DUI refusal in Hillsborough County.
Despite these previous offenses, Tompkins was back on the road, once again putting lives at risk—this time with two small children in the car.
Criminal Charges
Tompkins is now facing multiple charges, including:
DUI (3rd or subsequent offense) – Misdemeanor 1
Refusing to submit to a BAL test – Misdemeanor 1
DUI with children under 18 in the vehicle – Misdemeanor 2
Two counts of negligent child abuse – Felony 3
Sheriff Grady Judd’s Response
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd had strong words following Tompkins’ arrest, emphasizing the dangers of impaired driving and the risk he posed to the children in his care.
“What a poor excuse for a man in charge of two little kids. This is why my deputies are patrolling the major highways in our county every day in an effort to prevent high-speed traffic crashes and to get impaired drivers off the road. Clearly, his previous arrests and convictions have not taught Tompkins a lesson, but perhaps the new felony charges of child abuse will sink in. I'm very grateful those children are okay.”
Tompkins remains in custody at the Polk County Jail, where he awaits his first court appearance.
Authorities are urging drivers to make responsible decisions and report any suspected impaired drivers to law enforcement.
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