Man Sentenced to Three Years State Prison for 6th Dui Offense After Driving 99 Miles Per Hour on Highway 101

Rafael Onofre-Remigio, 31 years old of Sebastopol, was sentenced yesterday by the Honorable Kenneth J. Gnoss to serve 3 years in state prison following a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol. This offense was Onofre-Remigio’s 4th DUI conviction in the past 10 years – his 2^nd felony and his 5^th overall.

Just after midnight on August 26, 2025, California Highway Patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on Onofre-Remigio for speeding. He was travelling 99 mph on Highway 101. He displayed signs of intoxication, and officers soon learned that he was on Post-Release Community Supervision from State Prison for his last DUI conviction. As a result of that conviction, he was required by law to have an ignition interlock device installed on any vehicle he drove – which he did not have at the time of his arrest. A breath test determined that he had been driving with a .14% blood alcohol level.

At sentencing both the prosecutor and the probation department urged the court to impose 3 years state prison. Onofre-Remigio’s attorney argued that he should be given 2 years. The court agreed with the district attorney and probation, telling Onofre-Remigio that "the court cannot take a chance on you at this point.” Under California state law, 3 years is the maximum punishment for a felony DUI offense, regardless of whether it is a 4^th offense or more.

District Attorney Carla Rodriguez stated “I agree completely with the court’s decision to impose the maximum sentence allowed under the law. The defendant has demonstrated repeatedly through his actions that he remains a threat to the community.”

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Michael Llamas, a member of the office’s DUI vertical prosecution unit. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.