.png)
Joseph Booker with his attorney, David Glancy.
Man sentenced to prison for 10th drunk driving.
#MasonCountyCrime.
By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.
LUDINGTON — A 52-year-old Fenton man was sentenced to two to 20 years in prison Tuesday, Oct. 31, in 51st Circuit Court for a conviction of third-offense operating while intoxicated, which is his 10th drunk driving conviction.
Joseph Edward Booker’s blood alcohol content was .27, which is three and a half times over the legal limit, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. He was arrested July 3 after running his car off the road at the intersection of Custer and Countyline roads near the Manistee County border.
He is also convicted of fourth-offense habitual offender.
“He has struggled throughout his life with alcohol,” said Booker’s attorney, David Glancy.
“If there is any way to prove to you that I’m a good person, I will do it,” Booker said to Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. Booker apologized to the court and his family. “I just don’t know how this happened,” he said.
“Mr. Booker, having an addiction doesn’t make you a bad person,” Sniegowski said. “You have a serious problem, and your serious problem puts other people at harm.”
Booker’s criminal history includes 22 criminal matters, including the 10 drunk drivings, said Spaniola. “His drunk drivings have been over the course of the last 25 years.”
Booker previously served a two to 10 year prison term in 2003 and a two to seven and a half year term in 2005 for drunk driving, the prosecutor said.
Sentencing guidelines in the case are 10-46 months.
Booker received credit for 24 days served in jail.
This story is copyrighted © 2017, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
.jpg)
