DARLINGTON — A Shullsburg man was sentenced to 60 days in jail and two years on probation for driving drunk through a neighbor’s lawn during what was supposed to be his wedding weekend.
Kurtis Tremayne Keeney, 44, pleaded no contest Oct. 21 in Lafayette County Circuit Court to misdemeanor charges of third-offense operating while intoxicated, resisting or obstructing an officer and possessing drug paraphernalia. Other charges including criminal damage to property were dismissed as part of a plea deal.
His license is revoked 30 months, and he’s ordered to seek alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) counseling and not to drink or go into bars as conditions of his probation. He owes over $3,500 in court fees, fines and probation costs.
The case stems from a report of harassment on Harrison Street in Shullsburg on June 25, 2018, according to the criminal complaint.
Responding officers found that Keeney had driven through a neighbor’s yard and almost hit her several times. He had ripped up the yard, squealed his tires and threatened to run her over, then fled.
When officers located Keeney, he had glassy eyes and smelled of alcohol. He told them he’d had a couple of beers and refused to take a field sobriety test.
Officers also reported finding a small smoking device in his vehicle that tested positive for methamphetamines. Keeney again refused to take any tests, got angry and started shouting obscenities. On the way to the hospital, Keeney kicked the squad cage, door and window and threatened officers.
At his sentencing, Keeney said the incident happened during “the worst five days of my life.”
“I was supposed to get married that weekend. I had a falling out with her right before that and got depressed. I went out with friends and got some drinks,” he said.
“The biggest mistake I made was letting her go,” he said.
He and his fiancée have since repaired their relationship, and he praised her for sticking by him. He emphasized how much he loved her and that he never wanted anything like that to happen again.
District Attorney Jenna Gill said the neighbor whose yard was damaged knew Keeney and didn’t want to press charges.
His attorney, Timothy Angel, said his client was intoxicated and made bad decisions. Keeney’s threats against the neighbor were just drunken gibberish and he never meant to say them, Angel said.
Keeney’s relationship with his fiancée has been a positive influence on him.
“This relationship will be excellent for his stability, and he is ready to get over with this case and move on with their future together,” Angel said.
Gill said the plea agreement was an appropriate resolution to the case.
“He does have a criminal history and has been to prison some time ago. He has some AODA issues and needs to be counseled and treated. This fits the OWI guidelines and allows for him to be in treatment. Hopefully this will allow for that to happen,” Gill said.
Keeney has a short criminal record of a few misdemeanors over the past 20 years in Wisconsin, but he spent time in prison in his early 20s for a 1996 burglary conviction in Grant County.
Judge Duane Jorgenson said what Keeney did was dangerous but he believed Keeney understood the gravity of his offense.
“There are certain people who appear in front of me who I recall their reactions. I remember when you first came in and your reaction to the criminal complaint being read and how you expressed regret, remorse and (how) you couldn’t believe you had done what you did,” Jorgenson said.
“I see you as a straight shooter. I think you are sincere and honest when you are telling me all of this, and I don’t always get that in these hearings,” Jorgenson said.
Jorgenson stressed the importance of following through with treatment.
“Keep in mind those things you consider to be important are things that you can easily lose. It is going to be important that you take your treatment seriously,” he said.