Probation, jail ordered in Paso Robles DUI case
John Joseph Cicone, of Paso Robles.
Prosecutor objected, argued for state prison sentence
– San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced that John Joseph Cicone, of Paso Robles, entered pleas to all charges related to driving under the influence of alcohol, causing great bodily injury to a married couple, and fleeing the scene of the collision.
Over the prosecution’s objection, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Barry T. LaBarbera sentenced Cicone to five years of supervised probation and 270 days in county jail, of which he will serve 135 days. Deputy District Attorney Delaney Henretty argued in court that the circumstances of the case warranted a state prison sentence.
“While the victim in this case gave a compelling statement describing her forgiveness of the defendant, this light sentence and grant of probation is very disappointing,” Dow said. “This defendant who served the public in a law enforcement position owed a special duty to protect and care for the victims of his selfish criminal conduct. I hope that Mr. Cicone takes the grace he was given by the Judge as motivation to never again drink alcohol and drive a motor vehicle. I hope he will become an outspoken advocate for sober driving for the rest of his life. His conduct could have easily taken the lives of this married couple who were driving carefully and expecting to arrive home safely.”
Prosecutors objected in court, citing the severity of the crash, the lasting injuries to the victims, and Cicone’s conduct after the collision. According to testimony, one victim was unconscious and the other told Cicone he was not okay. Passerby Elias Mejia stopped and asked Cicone if he had been drinking. After seeing the victims’ condition, Mejia reported that Cicone fled the scene on foot.
The collision occurred on June 22, 2024, at the intersection of U.S. 101 southbound and San Marcos Road in rural Paso Robles. Both victims sustained serious injuries and were transported to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center.
According to California Highway Patrol reports, Cicone called 911 at about 11:05 p.m., saying someone had struck his truck as he turned into his driveway on San Marcos Road. He hung up and did not answer repeated calls from dispatchers. Officers found him at his home around 1 a.m. During questioning, he claimed he had consumed only one beer earlier that evening and half a beer after arriving home.
Investigators later obtained receipts and surveillance footage from a Paso Robles bar showing that Cicone had consumed at least six beers in two hours before the crash. CHP officers reported smelling alcohol on his breath and noted his red, watery eyes. A breath test administered at 1:43 a.m. and 1:46 a.m. measured his blood alcohol content at .08, about three hours after the collision.
Cicone, born May 8, 1974, worked as an officer for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for 18 years and has since retired. He was ordered to surrender at San Luis Obispo County Superior Court on Oct. 30 to begin serving his jail sentence.
Authorities urged the public to avoid impaired driving.
Compared to other DUI cases I have read about, this seems like a very light sentence. I appreciate every thing about the CHP investigation except where it took them 2 hours to find him at his home (close enough to walk to). His cover up actions were very deliberate.
Compared to other DUI cases I have read about, this seems like a very light sentence. I appreciate every thing about the CHP investigation except where it took them 2 hours to find him at his home (close enough to walk to). His cover up actions were very deliberate.