Kwame Kilpatrick's brother-in-law allegedly found passed out behind wheel; he denies it

Daniel Ferguson is husband of former Detroit mayor's sister, Bobby Ferguson's cousin; says that's why he is being treated 'unfairly'

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. – Monday was not a good day for Daniel Ferguson.

Ferguson, who is married to Kwame Kilpatrick's sister Ayanna and who is a cousin of Bobby Ferguson's, found himself before a judge just days after being released from jail.

According to a police report obtained by the Local 4 Defenders, Ferguson was arrested early Saturday morning. Investigators say he was sleeping in the driver's seat of his truck while at a green light at Harper Avenue and 11 Mile Road in St. Clair Shores. The report states Ferguson smelled of intoxicants, failed sobriety tests, refused a breathalyzer and was arrested.

Officers describe Ferguson as defiant. He also refused a blood draw and being fingerprinted. He kept telling police, "I do not consent. I 'm being held against my will."

He faces charges of operating a vehicle while impaired, possession of a controlled substance -- marijuana -- and obstructing police.

Here is what Ferguson had to say as he left court:

"This is really some bull*** man, and I don't know really what else to say other than I'm going to fight it and, you know, it is what it is," he said.

Ferguson says he is being treated unfairly because of his connection to Kwame Kilpatrick.

"What's my last name? Who is my cousin? Who is my brother-in-law?" he said when asked why he thinks he is being treated unfairly.

Police don't have dash cam video or the results of a breathalyzer or blood work because Ferguson refused. However, they have key information.

"If you could put all the things in line to show that this person was intoxicated at the time of driving, then you can still win the case," said legal expert Todd Flood.

Daniel Ferguson has previous run-ins with the law. He recently served eight year in prison for a cocaine charge. He was on probation until 2011.


About the Author:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.