Minnesota man sentenced for 9th OWI

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A Minnesota man has been sentenced to prison following a conviction for his ninth drunken driving offense.

Michael Dean Swioklo, 52, Blaine, Minn., was sentenced to three years, six months in prison and four years extended supervision Wednesday. Judge Scott Needham also fined Swioklo $4,744.

Swioklo was arrested at about 11:20 p.m. Oct. 16 in Houlton after leading Minnesota authorities on a chase even though he had two shredded tires from an attempt to stop him in Stillwater.

He drove on rims of both left side tires with sparks flying and headed across the lift bridge and up the County E hill on the Wisconsin side where he lost speed without the tires and slowed to 10 to 15 mph, the sheriff’s report said.

Swioklo turned onto Rainbow Street in Houlton, which was a dead end, where he was apprehended before he could flee on foot. A collection of full and empty 16-ounce beer cans were in his 1999 Chevy Blazer.

Court records said Swioklo had seven prior drunken driving convictions in Minnesota since 1990 and one in Polk County in 2005.

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