Felony Drunk Driver Sentenced to Prison

Frederick R. Enghoffer Jr. was sentenced to 18 to 60 months in the Michigan Department of Corrections Monday for 3rd Offense Operating While Intoxicated. 13th Circuit Court Judge Thomas Power sentenced Enghoffer, 48, of Lansing, after several previous probation violations.

Enghoffer was arrested by Leelanau County deputies on September 9, 2012 in Solon Township.  He was in Leelanau County for business.  One of his co-workers called Leelanau County Central Dispatch at 5:20 pm from Leland to report that Enghoffer had taken their rental van.  They said he had been drinking before he took the van and they didn't know where he went.

A short time later, an employee from Bunting's Market in Cedar called to report a man who failed to pay for fuel was passed out in a van in the parking lot.  Leelanau County deputies responded and found Enghoffer passed out behind the wheel of the rental van.  Employees of Bunting's said he tried to pre-pay for $25 in gas but was told there was no pre-pay system and was instructed to pay after he pumped his gas.  Enghoffer left the $25 on the counter and then put $61.65 in fuel in the van.  He was stopped by an employee as he tried to drive away.  The employee was able to convince Enghoffer to pull the van into a parking spot where he eventually passed out.

Enghoffer's co-workers walked from Leland to Cedar after they were made aware of the rental van's location by dispatchers.  Enghoffer was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense after after failing field sobriety tasks.  His license was also suspended.  A blood test showed his blood alcohol level was .267%.

This conviction was Enghoffer's seventh drinking and driving arrest since 1986.  The driving suspended arrest was his ninth.  He remains in the Leelanau County jail awaiting transport to Michigan Department of Corrections.

Domestic Violence Arrest Made

Leelanau deputies arrested a 39 year-old Elmwood Township woman for domestic violence Tuesday morning.  The suspect's husband called at 7:16 am and told deputies that he had been assaulted by his wife the previous evening and again shortly before he called Tuesday morning.  After interviewing both parties an arrest was made. 

The suspect has been released on bond pending a Friday court appearance in District Court. Domestic violence carries a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.