Justin Timberlake was taken into custody in New York for driving while intoxicated. The pop superstar was arrested and charged on Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Timberlake was in Sag Harbor, a wealthy enclave in the Hamptons and a favoured summer spot among celebrities on Long Island.
After being charged, he was released without bail, as confirmed by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities arrested Timberlake after midnight (05:37 BST) when they stopped his grey BMW for running a stop sign and veering off to the wrong side of the road, the charges state.
Upon stopping him, police noted that Timberlake’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy,” and his breath had a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage,” according to the charging document.
His speech was slurred, and he failed the sobriety tests administered by the officers, the officials noted. He declined to take a breathalyzer test, the records indicate.
“I had one martini and followed my friends home,” Timberlake reportedly told the officer. His court appearance is set to be virtual in Sag Harbor on July 26.
His attorney, Edward Burke Jr., stated on Tuesday evening that he “will vigorously defend his client and is currently engaged in the discovery process with the District Attorney’s Office.”
Timberlake, aged 43, was about to start a worldwide tour for his sixth album, “Everything I Thought It Was.”
A former member of the renowned boy band NSYNC, Timberlake has multiple roles as an actor, songwriter, and is one of the world’s top-selling music artists.
He has previously spoken about seeking treatment for excessive alcohol use.
In New York, the consequences for driving while intoxicated can include up to a year in jail, a fine of $1,000 (£786), and a minimum six-month suspension of driving privileges.
This weekend, Timberlake was set to perform in Chicago, with a subsequent performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden next Tuesday.
The 10-time Grammy winner is also recognized for his roles in movies like “The Social Network” and “Friends With Benefits.”
Timberlake is married to actor Jessica Biel, and they have two children together.
