On Thursday, February 22nd, at approximately 7:20 p.m., Plymouth Police responded to Walmart after receiving reports of a possibly impaired male in the store.
Upon arrival, officers located the male who was identified as Douglas Howard, 34, from the 400 block of Lake Avenue in Plymouth. Howard had a juvenile with him in the store.
Officer Schieber determined that Mr. Howard drove with the juvenile to Walmart. He was detained and transported to the Plymouth hospital where a search warrant for his blood was obtained, and he was seen by the emergency room staff.
Douglas Howard was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail. He is facing criminal charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVWI)-endangering a passenger less than 18, OVWI on a controlled substance, driving while suspended with a prior, and public intoxication.
On a side note, Doug Howard was arrested the day before (Feb. 21st) and booked into jail for driving while suspended and possession of narcotics as a level 6 felony. He was released after posting a cash bond of $1,500 at about 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
