Man sentenced for 3rd-offense drunk driving had BAC of .35 at time of arrest.

Patrick Pricco appears in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday via Zoom video conferencing.

Man sentenced for 3rd-offense drunk driving had BAC of .35 at time of arrest.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 51-year-old North Muskegon man sentenced in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 13, for a conviction of third-offense operating while intoxicated had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .35 when he was arrested June 29 at 12:30 p.m.

Patrick Joseph Pricco, 51, of 1933 Lake Ave., was arrested by the Mason County’s Sheriff’s Office.

“Mr. Pricco’s blood alcohol content is concerning,” said Mason County Prosecutor Lauren Kreinbrink, “especially considering the time of day. It is more than four times the legal limit.”

Pricco was sentenced to serve 30 days up front of a one-year jail term followed by alcohol and substance abuse rehabilitation through the Salvation Army. He will be placed on a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM) tether following his release from jail. Judge Susan K. Sniegowski warned him that if he doesn’t successfully complete the program, he will have to serve a year in jail. He was also ordered to complete 480 hours of community service and three years probation. Pricco received credit for two days served in jail. 

“I believe the rehab center would be much more beneficial in lieu of a jail cell,” said Pricco. “I would spend more time there than in jail.”

Sentencing guidelines in the case are seven to 34 months, said Judge Sniegowski. 

According to the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS), Pricco has served prior prison terms with the Michigan Department of Corrections for: 

• Forgery, one year and six months; 2014; Oceana County.
• Non-sufficient fund check over $500; one year and six months; 2008; Ottawa County.
• Non-sufficient fund check over $500; five years maximum; 2014; Muskegon County.

Pricco appeared in court Tuesday via Zoom videoconferencing due to COVID-19.

Please consider helping to fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals who support our service. Click on the PayPal donation button located on the top right of our website.

This story is copyrighted © 2021, 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.

As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.