Jon Miner (Photo courtesy: Wisconsin Department of Corrections)

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Jon Miner conceded that he was “considerably intoxicated” and took a concluding gulp of vodka in the presence of a police officer before he was apprehended for his 12th offence of drunk driving.

Based on a roadside sobriety test, his blood alcohol content was found to be .267, as per the details in a criminal complaint lodged on Monday.

Miner, a 58-year-old resident of Tomah, attended his preliminary court hearing on Monday afternoon. The charges against him include 10 or more counts of OWI (Operating While Intoxicated), operating despite license revocation, and failure to install an ignition interlock device. His bond has been set at a cash payment of $13,000. The date for the preliminary hearing has not been fixed as of now.

As per the filed complaint, an enforcement officer stopped Miner for speeding at 85 mph in a 70 mph zone on the Interstate 41 on a Saturday night. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer noticed an opened vodka bottle and detected a strong smell of alcohol from within the car, despite both driver and passenger windows being rolled down.

Miner mentioned that he was returning from Tomah. Upon querying further, his response was, “It doesn’t matter, I am drunk”. When the officer probed about the level of his intoxication, Miner responded, “Pretty drunk”. On pointing out the vodka bottle, Miner confessed to drinking while driving and admitted that he was consuming vodka as he drove past the officer on Interstate 41. The officer instructed Miner to get out of his car, to which he complied. But before leaving the car, Miner quickly grabbed the vodka bottle and took another gulp, as mentioned in the complaint.

A preliminary breath test revealed a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .267, over three times the standard legal limit. However, given his previous convictions, Miner’s permissible BAC level was .02.

Three traffic citations were also issued against Miner: inhaling nitrous oxide, operating a vehicle without insurance, and speeding (11-15mph above the limit). June 5 court dates are set for those.

State records show his last OWI conviction was for a November 2019 traffic stop in Jackson County. He was released in January after serving a five-year prison sentence. According to court records, Miner’s driver’s license was revoked for two years, as well.

He has 11 prior convictions for operating while intoxicated offenses, for incidents on March 1, 1997; Feb. 7, 1998; Aug. 27, 1999; Sept. 25, 1999; Oct. 1, 1999; Feb. 5, 2001; Aug. 1, 2002; Nov. 27, 2004; Aug. 5, 2011; May 5, 2013; and Nov. 5, 2019.