City Times Staff

A Rudolph man is expected to plead out after being charged with his seventh OWI.

Shane Beaudette, 46, was arrested shortly after 1 PM on Feb. 10 when a Wisconsin State Trooper stopped him for speeding on Highway 66 near County HH.

According to the criminal complaint, the trooper also noticed Beaudette’s windshield wiper blades were stuck in a 45 degree angel, partially blocking the driver’s view, and that despite never making a right-hand turn, Beaudette’s right turn signal remained activated.

As Beaudette retrieved his insurance and registration paperwork, the trooper noticed an odor of intoxicants, according to the complaint. The trooper also reported Beaudette’s speech was “somewhat slow”, and noted his eyes appeared to be glossy.

Beaudette initially denied being intoxicated, but after the trooper told him the odor was noticeable, he admitted to drinking two cans of Keystone beer beginning at 9 AM that morning.

According to the complaint, Beaudette was restricted to a .02 blood alcohol content due to his six prior convictions, but on Feb. 10 his blood alcohol content was .05.

His previous six convictions date back to 1996.

Beaudette is also charged with operating while revoked, as well as a habitual traffic offender designation for previous similar offenses. He faces a maximum penalty of more than 10 years in prison and over $25,000 in fines.

Beaudette returns to court for a plea hearing on Jan. 8, 2016.