October 26, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski, 989.269.9255
On Wednesday, October 26, 2023, Corey Matthew Sockow, 44, of Kinde, was found guilty of Operating While Intoxicated-Third Offense, and Driving While License Suspended, 2nd or Subsequent Offense, following a one day jury trial in the 52nd Circuit Court.
The charges arose from an incident on May 18, 2023, in the Village of Owendale, when Sockow ran his truck into the side of a local bar. On May 19, 2023, Prosecutor Timothy Rutkowski charged Sockow with Operating While Intoxicated-Third Offense, Resisting & Obstructing a Police Officer, and Driving While License Suspended-2nd or Subsequent Offense. A Preliminary Examination was held in the 73-B District Court on June 9, 2023, where Judge David Herrington found probable cause to bind the defendant over to the Circuit Court on the felony OWI but dismissed the Resisting & Obstructing charge.
The jury heard testimony from the bartender and a bar patron who both testified that they heard a loud crash and went to the parking lot to investigate. When they arrived, they witnessed Sockow in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck parked against the side of the building. The jury also heard from Dep. Erin McArdle of the Huron County Sheriff’s Department and Chief Steve Repkie of the Sebewaing Police Department who assisted Dep. McArdle. Both testified that upon their arrival, Sockow exhibited obvious signs of intoxication and was not cooperative with their investigation. The jury also viewed Dep. McArdle’s Bodycam video of the investigation, which included Sockow’s constant verbal abuse of the deputy throughout her investigation and Sockow’s transport to the jail. Sockow testified on his own behalf. The jury deliberated for approximately 45 minutes before returning verdicts of guilty for each charge. The case was tried by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Alexander Pahany. Dep. Erin McArdle of the Huron County Sheriff’s Department was the Officer in Charge.
Operating While Intoxicated-Third Offense is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. DWLS-2nd Offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. Sockow will be sentenced as a Habitual Offender-Fourth Offense due to his prior felony convictions, which means the maximum sentence on the felony can be enhanced.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. before the Hon. Gerald M. Prill.
Prosecutor Timothy Rutkowski noted that:
“Operating While Intoxicated is a serious crime that puts innocent lives in danger. My office will continue to hold drunk drivers accountable for their actions.”
Prosecutor Rutkowski thanked Dep. Erin McArdle as well as the other responding law enforcement officers for their professional behavior, especially with a difficult and verbally abusive individual.
