Justin Timberlake arrested for driving while intoxicated.

 

Police released the mugshot of the popstar shortly after news broke of his arrest

Singer Justin Timberlake was arrested in New York for driving while intoxicated, local officials told the BBC. The pop star was formally charged on Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

Timberlake, 43, was in Sag Harbor, a wealthy village in the Hamptons, a popular summer spot for celebrities on Long Island. He was released without bail after being charged.

The BBC has reached out to Timberlake's lawyer for comment.

The arrest occurred after midnight (05:37 BST) when police stopped Timberlake's grey BMW for running a stop sign and failing to stay on the right side of the road. According to the charging document, officers noted Timberlake's "bloodshot and glassy" eyes and detected a "strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" on his breath. His speech was slowed, and he did poorly on sobriety tests. He also refused a breathalyzer test.

"I had one martini and I followed my friends home," Timberlake reportedly told the officer, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner. Timberlake is scheduled to appear virtually in Sag Harbor court on July 26.

His lawyer, Edward Burke Jr., stated on Tuesday evening that he "will vigorously defend his client and is currently engaged in the Discovery process with the District Attorney’s Office."

Timberlake has been touring the US to promote his sixth album, "Everything I Thought It Was," and is set to start the international leg of his tour next week, beginning in Poland. A former member of the popular 90s boy band NSYNC, Timberlake is also an actor, songwriter, and one of the world's best-selling music artists. He has previously spoken openly about seeking help for excessive drinking.

In New York, penalties for driving while intoxicated can include up to a year in jail, a $1,000 (£786) fine, and a driver’s license suspension for at least six months.

Timberlake was scheduled to perform two shows in Chicago this weekend, followed by a show at New York’s Madison Square Garden next Tuesday. The 10-time Grammy winner is also known for his roles in the films "The Social Network" and "Friends With Benefits." He is married to actor Jessica Biel, with whom he shares two children.