Newport Man Charged after Driving Toddlers in Go-Kart Without Helmets

A 24-year-old Park Holm Man was charged with obstruction of justice, simple assault and violating traffic laws after he was caught by police riding along Hillside Avenue in a go-kart with a three-year-old on his lap without a seatbelt and a 4-year-old in the passenger seat, both not wearing helmets.

Police said Juan Montanez, of 178 Park Holm, became hostile towards officers who stopped him and started to shout at them, telling them he did nothing wrong.

He said that he drives a friend’s go-kart in Miantonomi Park often without the police getting involved and had just come out of the woods where he said he was riding.

Police said Montanez continued to become aggressive as he was told by an officer that he would be cited for driving a toy vehicle in the roadway.

Montanez reportedly refused to give his name or other personal information and swore at officers, ultimately pushing and kicking an officer as they attempted to put him into handcuffs.

The go-kart was towed from the scene and the children were picked up by an adult.

Montanez was booked and released with a Municipal Court summons to answer to the traffic violations on July 14. He is also due to appear in Second Division District Court on July 2 to answer to the obstruction and simple assault charges.