POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Valrico man with a history of DUI convictions was arrested Friday evening for driving under the influence and child abuse after Polk County Sheriff’s deputies observed him driving impaired in the emergency lane of I-4 with two young children in the vehicle.
46-year-old James Ray Tompkins was pulled over around 6:15 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025. Deputies noted that Tompkins had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech, and was swaying. They also detected the odor of alcohol.
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Tompkins told deputies he was driving the children, ages 5 and 8, from Valrico to Disney World and was using the shoulder lane due to traffic congestion. He admitted to having “one bourbon mixed drink.” He exhibited multiple signs of impairment during field sobriety tests and refused to provide a breath sample for testing.
A background check revealed a troubling history:
- June 2007: Convicted of DUI and refusing a breath test in Highlands County.
- June 2012: Convicted of DUI with serious bodily injury, DUI with property damage, and refusing a breath test in Hillsborough County.
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Tompkins is now facing multiple charges, including:
- DUI 3rd or subsequent offense (misdemeanor)
- Refusing to submit to a breath alcohol test (misdemeanor)
- DUI with children under 18 in the car (misdemeanor)
- Two counts of negligent child abuse (felony)
“What a poor excuse for a man in charge of two little kids,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “This is why my deputies are patrolling the major highways in our county every day… 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.”
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