Big Bend Man Pleads Guilty to 5th OWI

Big Bend man Matthew Fett pleaded guilty on April 12 for 5th offense felony OWI as part of a plea deal in Waukesha County Court.

Fett had also been charged with a 5th offense operating after revocation, bail jumping and a 5th offense of operating under prohibited alcohol content (PAC), which had been dismissed under the deal. The latter charge would have tripled Fett's fines and jail time if he were convicted. As things stand, he faces up to 6 years in prison and $10,000 in fines or both.

According to the criminal complaint:

On May 4, 2012, Waukesha County Sheriff's deputies were called to the McDonald's in Big Bend for a report of a man who had been intoxicated and driving erratically. Employees told police his speech was slurred, and at one point it seemed as if he would not be able to hold up the motorcycle.

They caught up with Fett, who was standing near the motorcycle at the Stein's parking lot next door. He told police repeatedly that he wasn't driving because he was under revocation and was also intoxicated. He claimed the motorcycle was being driven by a friend, and with the McDonald's bag resting on the seat, he was just using it as a buffet table.

Fett was previously convicted of OWI in November 2004, November 2005, April 2007 and June 2009. At the time of his arrest for his 5th offense he was released on a $500 signature bond, however he was remanded to the County jail and his bail revoked on separate charges filed on March 29 for bail jumping, operating under revocation and ignition interlock device tampering.

He will return to court for a sentencing hearing on May 28.