Clermont

CLERMONT, Fla.—A Lake County Schools principal is facing a DUI charge after a Clermont Police Department officer pulled him over for failing to maintain his lane, according to an arrest affidavit.

Michael Randolph, 38, principal of Leesburg High School, was spotted by CPD swerving and speeding on State Road 50 near Citrus Tower Boulevard in a white pickup truck shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday and officers pulled Randolph over less than three miles from his home. He provided his driver license and when asked for his registration and proof of insurance, he provided his registration and then handed an officer a second registration, the affidavit states.

The officer told him he had already provided his registration and still needed to show proof of insurance. Randolph asked to look for his phone with his proof of insurance, but was unable to find it, according to the affidavit.

Randolph, who was “very apologetic” as he spoke to officers, agreed to and performed field sobriety exercises, and was arrested following the exercises. He was transported to Clermont Police Department while an officer stayed with the vehicle, awaiting a tow truck. That officer conducted an inventory of Randolph’s truck and according to the affidavit, found open bottles of Smirnoff Vodka and Crown Royal Regal Apple and two plastic cups, warm to the touch.

Randolph refused breath tests upon arriving at Clermont Police Department and was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was released on $1,000 bond.

Randolph was hired as the LHS principal in 2017, LCS Communication Sherri Owens said, and was awarded LCS Principal of the Year in 2021.

“The District was recently informed of the arrest of Leesburg High School Principal Michael Randolph for driving under the influence. Mr. Randolph has pled not guilty to the charges,” Owens said in an email. “The incident did not occur during a school activity or involve students or employees. The District takes these charges seriously and holds all of its leaders to high standards of personal conduct. However, Mr. Randolph has not been adjudicated guilty of the charges and the District will reserve judgment and further comment until conclusion of the judicial process.”