(Newser) – A Rhode Island Republican lawmaker who made a splash with some anti-drug comments a few months ago has been arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of marijuana and possessing drug paraphernalia, Raw Story reports. House Minority Leader Robert Watson drew gasps in February for saying that the state legislature had its priorities straight “if you are a Guatemalan gay man who likes to gamble and smoke marijuana.”

Watson’s office confirmed yesterday that he’d been arrested in Connecticut (where he was reportedly helping a friend move), but today he issued a statement saying he intends to fight the charges. “While confident I was a safe and sober operator, trace evidence of marijuana was discovered, and I was charged with operating under the influence, a charge I vehemently deny,” Watson said, according to WPRI. The arresting officer reported smelling alcohol and marijuana when he pulled Watson over, but Watson’s breathalyzer test had him below the legal alcohol limit. (Read more Robert Watson stories.)

