.png)
Mark Wemple with defense attorney David Glancy.
Muskegon man sent to prison for drunken rampage with police.
#MasonCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
LUDINGTON — A 60-year-old Muskegon man who went on an alcohol-fueled rampage while fleeing from police last September was sentenced to two to seven-and-a-half years in prison for several felony convictions in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, March 13.
Mark Allen Wemple, of 2528 E. Broadway Ave., pleaded guilty Jan. 23 to fleeing and eluding police; third-offense operating while intoxicated; two counts of resisting/assaulting/obstructing police; and second-offense habitual offender.
Wemple threw a beer can out the window of his vehicle — in view of a Mason County sheriff’s deputy, and then eventually rammed into a police car, in the early morning hours of Sept. 5.
Wemple received credit for 189 days served in jail.
His recent conviction is his fifth drunk driving conviction dating back to 1983, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. He was on probation at the time of the offense for third-offense drunk driving. Wemple is fortunate he did not hurt or kill anyone during the Labor Day weekend incident, Spaniola said.
Defense attorney David Glancy said his client plans to “recommit himself to sobriety” and get help in prison for substance abuse treatment.
“He had a period of almost 30 years without any drunk driving offenses,” Glancy said.
His sentence will include restitution of $1,194.74 to pay for the damage to the sheriff’s car, said Spaniola.
Sentencing guidelines in the case are 19-47 months.
This story and photograph are copyrighted © 2018, 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)
