Lynn man pleads innocent to fifth drunken driving charge

SALEM – A Lynn man police say was driving drunk for his fifth time remains held at the Middleton Jail without bail, after pleading innocent.Jorge Soares, 45, of 15 Huss Court, #106, Lynn, pleaded innocent at his arraignment Friday morning in Salem Superior Court to charges of operating a motor vehicle after suspension, subsequent offense, operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol blood level more than .08, fifth offense, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, fifth offense.Assistant District Attorney Ashlee Dole contends that Soares poses a danger to the public and himself and should remain held pending a trial.She asked Judge Timothy Q. Feeley to set down a hearing date for argument concerning dangerousness. The judge scheduled a hearing for April 25.In the meantime, Soares remains held without bail.Defense lawyer Mark Schmidt is expected to argue at that time that there are conditions of release to ensure the public safety and the safety of his client.The charges lodged against Soares stem from his arrest on the night of Dec. 27 when State Trooper Mark Blanchard pulled over Soares, who was driving a pick-up truck, on the Lynnway for erratic driving.Blanchard maintained that Soares was weaving in an out as he was dragging a blue tarp that apparently was supposed to cover the snow blower that was on the back of his truck.After failing several sobriety tests Soares was arrested.His blood alcohol level taken at the hospital was reportedly .20, more than twice the legal limit.Soares has prior drunken driving cases dating back to 1987. His most recent case was in 1995, according to records.