Robert Visbal, a principal in the Babylon High School, pled guilty last month to operating a motor vehicle while impaired following his arrest on drunk driving charges July 19. Visbal, a resident of Huntington, was stopped by police as he sat behind the wheel of his car at the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Route 106 in Nassau County. Visbal’s vehicle was not moving but was pointing southbound in a northbound lane, according to police.

After a visual determination that Visbal was under the influence of alcohol, he was asked to take a breathalyzer test and complied. The results showed that he had a .12 percent level of alcohol in his blood. The legal limit is .10 percent.

In a statement he released to the Beacon, Visbal said he takes full responsibility for his mistake and calls it regrettable. More than that he said he hopes to use the experience in a positive way.

"It has served as a humbling and important lesson for me," said Visbal. "I have always told my own children as well as students who have been involved in difficult situations that mistakes are often the best teachers. I assure the entire Babylon school community that I will continue to work diligently for the good of the community and especially for Babylon students."

Police said that a .12 percent alcohol level is "just over," the legal limit for intoxication according to the law. Depending on a person’s size and body chemistry, the difference could be "a single beer," said one police officer from the Suffolk County First Precinct.

In addition, police said that Visbal’s cooperation in taking the test, and his marginal blood alcohol level, combined with the fact that he had no prior arrests or convictions resulted in their willingness to offer him a plea bargain agreement on the lesser charge. Operating a motor vehicle while impaired is considered a violation, not a crime.

The plea bargain agreement is subject to Visbal’s assurances to the courts that he will not drink and drive again.

Babylon Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Bernhardt declined to comment, saying the issue was a personnel matter and he could not discuss it.

Meanwhile, Visbal met with staff earlier this week and told them about the incident, which he said he was extremely embarrassed about and apologetic for. Visbal, who served as the district’s assistant principal for eight years before being named principal this year, has been an outstanding leader in educating students about substance abuse and drunk driving.