East Hampton man convicted of DWI for 2nd time in 3 years, now a felon

For the second time in three years, the same East Hampton man has been convicted in a drunk driving case.

This time, Simon Bolivar Cruceta is a convicted felon after a jury found him guilty of DWI. And he could spend up to four years behinds.

Prosecutors said Cruceta, 62, was stopped by East Hampton Village police on Feb. 3, 2025, for excessive window tint. During the stop, an officer noticed an open bottle of vodka at his feet and reported smelling liquor on his breath. Authorities said Cruceta admitted he had “just took a sip” from the bottle.

A chemical breath test showed his blood alcohol content was .11 percent, above the legal limit of .08, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.

Following a jury trial before Suffolk County Court Judge Bryan Browns, Cruceta was convicted March 16 of felony driving while intoxicated and a violation for drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle He had previously been convicted of misdemeanor DWI in April 2023.

He is due back in court May 19 for sentencing and faces up to 1⅓ to four years in prison.

_{Top: Simon Bolivar Cruceta (SCDA)}