Former LaGrange police detective Wayne Cato faced a West Point municipal court July 16 on charges from his March DUI arrest while off duty.

Cato was initially charged with driving under the influence.

The Daily News filed an open records request to obtain the information of the court’s proceedings. Capt. Robert Fawley of the West Point Police Department responded that Cato pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless driving, his first offense; a charge of failure to maintain lane was dropped.

Cato was given a fine of $1,395 and sentenced to 12 months’ probation with required probation fees and 40 hours of community service.

Fawley said Cato did have a lawyer representing him.

According to West Point police, on the night of March 28, the 2002 black Pontiac Firebird driven by Cato crossed the center line on Highway 29, nearly hitting two other cars before crashing into a vacant home near East 10th Street. The report said he registered blood alcohol content of 0.083 and 0.087 percent.

Cato was placed on administrative leave with pay while LPD completed an internal investigation and then returned to his job a few weeks later on an administrative probationary status. He resigned June 26 from the department after being involved in a minor collision while in a police vehicle and failing to report it to his supervisor.

He had been with the department for nine years.