Michigan sheriff tried to avoid DWI arrest: ‘Jesus Christ, I'm a sheriff'

Police siren (Generic photo)

KALKASKA, Mich. – A TV station says a mid-Michigan sheriff who pleaded guilty to driving while impaired asked a deputy not to arrest him.

WJRT obtained the police report and video of the Nov. 16 arrest of Midland County Sheriff Scott Stephenson. He was suspected of drunken driving after leaving a deer hunting camp in Kalkaska County. A breath test revealed a blood-alcohol level nearly three times over the limit.

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Stephenson is heard on the video asking that he not be arrested. He says, “Jesus Christ, I’m a sheriff.”

Earlier, the video shows a deputy knocking on Stephenson’s window. He apparently was asleep behind the wheel while his vehicle was parked along M-66. Deputy Ashley VanSloten says on the video, “Someone thought you were dead over here.”

Former Kalkaska County Sheriff Jerry Cannon arrived at the scene. After his arrest, Stephenson issued a public apology for his “poor choice.”