By Bobby Kerlik
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review
PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh firefighter will spend a week on house arrest after pleading guilty Wednesday to two drunken driving charges in separate cases.
Capt. Frank R. Becker Jr., 38, of Sheraden also must serve nine months of probation, pay $1,500 in fines, attend safe driving classes and pay court costs.
Prosecutors dropped several other charges in exchange for the plea.
Becker declined comment after the hearing. Fire Chief Darryl Jones said Becker is back on the job and is attending rehabilitation classes.
“He looks forward to getting back to a normal life,” said Michael Yagercik, Becker’s attorney. “Everything he’s been asked to do he will complete and get back to being a productive citizen.”
Common Pleas Judge Beth Lazzara imposed the sentence and chided Becker.
“You, sir, have a position as a role model in the community. Little kids look up to you,” Lazzara said. “A guilty plea to two DUIs is certainly not living up to that.”
Pittsburgh police charged Becker after stopping his car Dec. 15 when officers said he ran a stop sign. Police said they saw a CD on the center console that appeared to have cocaine residue on it. He told police that girls who had been in his car were doing drugs, according to a police affidavit.
A test showed Becker had a blood alcohol level of .156 percent, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Arnette said.
In May, Becker was charged with drunken driving and other offenses after he crashed his vehicle into a utility pole along Route 60 in Robinson.
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