ABC7 Eyewitness News reporter Janice Yu of WABC-TV was at the center of the action when singer and actor Justin Timberlake was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Sag Harbor. Timberlake had been partying with friends at the American Hotel the night before and was stopped by a police officer after driving through a stop sign. Refusing to take a breath test, Timberlake claimed he had only had one martini and was following his friends home. He performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was ultimately arrested and taken into police custody.
News crews from various outlets, including CBS, NBC, PIX11, and CNN, descended on Sag Harbor to cover Timberlake’s arrest. After spending nearly nine hours in police custody, he was released in handcuffs and headed towards the Sag Harbor Village Justice Court for his arraignment, less than 500 feet from where he was partying the night before. Timberlake enlisted the help of prominent criminal defense lawyer Edward D. Burke Jr., who entered a plea of not guilty on Timberlake’s behalf. A court date was set for July 26, while Timberlake was scheduled to perform at Madison Square Garden the following week.
The media frenzy surrounding Timberlake’s arrest gave the American Hotel the appearance of a crime scene, with camera crews set up outside while patrons continued to enjoy their meals. Some residents and visitors found the level of news coverage excessive, especially since Timberlake had not been involved in an accident. The atmosphere in Sag Harbor remained calm, with people enjoying the summer weather and going about their day as usual. Some even took the opportunity to engage with the news crews, with children pretending to deliver news reports with the microphones.
As journalists continued to gather information and film their segments, the details of Timberlake’s arrest were gradually revealed. The arrest report indicated that Timberlake had been driving a gray BMW and had failed multiple sobriety tests. At the police station, he surrendered his personal belongings, including his wedding ring, phone, wallet, and a vape pen, as well as green and blue papers used for rolling marijuana. The media coverage of Timberlake’s arrest continued to attract attention, with onlookers and passersby witnessing the scene unfold in the normally quiet town of Sag Harbor.
Despite the media circus surrounding Timberlake’s arrest, the local residents and businesses of Sag Harbor remained largely unaffected. People enjoyed their meals at the American Hotel and went about their daily routines amidst the camera crews and reporters. The attention brought by Timberlake’s arrest brought an unexpected buzz to the town, with visitors and residents alike taking in the spectacle. As the story continued to unfold, the public awaited further developments in the legal proceedings and Timberlake’s upcoming court date. Despite the drama, life in Sag Harbor moved on, with locals continuing to enjoy the summer season in the quaint Hamptons town.
