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Felony OWI charges refiled

Thomas W. Roesler, 61, Waupun, was charged in Waupaca County with a sixth drunken driving offense and with operating after revocation.

Roesler was initially charged in 2012 in Waupaca County with a fifth drunken driving offense. He failed to appear in court on Sept. 26, 2012, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Before he returned to face justice in Waupaca County, Roesler was arrested in Milwaukee County for drunken driving on Aug. 4, 2013.

On Oct. 31, 2013, Roesler was convicted in Milwaukee County of his fifth drunken driving offense and sentenced to 30 months in state prison.

The Milwaukee County judge ordered that Roesler’s 30-month sentence be served consecutively to a one-year prison sentence for his fourth drunken driving conviction.

Roesler had been arrested in Milwaukee County in June 2009 for his fourth drunken driving offense. After his conviction on Dec. 21, 2009, Roesler, who was supposed to remain in custody of an alternative services program, walked out of court, then failed to appear for subsequent hearings. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

He had already forfeited two prior cash bails of $1,500 and $2,000 due to noncompliance with the conditions of his release and failure to appear in court.

On Aug. 11, 2012, Roesler was arrested after his vehicle rolled over on State Highway 161 in the town of Union.

Waupaca County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Traeger, who responded to the crash, found a pot pipe in Roesler’s vehicle. He also learned that Milwaukee County had issued a warrant for Roesler’s arrest.

Roesler was transported by helicopter to Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah. In addition to treatment of his injuries, Roesler’s blood was drawn. He had a 0.187 blood-alcohol level, according to the criminal complaint.

He was taken into custody and returned to Milwaukee County on the 2009 conviction. He was released from custody on a $2,000 cash bail on Oct. 23, 2012, then skipped court on Oct. 24, 2012, and remained at large until his arrest for drunken driving in August 2013.

Roesler is currently residing at the Dodge Correctional Institution.

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