Man charged with 12th OWI gets trial date

PORTAGE COUNTY—Eugene Volk, 66, received a September trial date for a 12^th OWI charge. A two day jury trial is set to begin on September 4 in Portage County, though Volk currently resides in Dodge Correctional Institution. Volk is facing charges of OWI (10^th or more), Resisting/Failing to Stop, Operating While Revoked, and Operating with Prohibited Alcohol Concentration (10^th or more).

On January 18, Volk was driving in Almond when spotted by an officer who noted he was operating outside the hours of his occupational license. The officer activated his light and attempted to pull Volk’s vehicle over, however the officer said Volk then sped up. The pursuit lasted until Volk pulled into a driveway and then got out of his vehicle. Volk told the officer he had no reason to stop him due to no probable cause. The officer noted signs of alcohol impairment and Volk claimed he had one drink. After refusing a preliminary breath test and a field sobriety test, three cans of beer were found inside Volk’s vehicle which led to his arrest.

On January 21, a cash bond of $8,500 was set for Volk. On February 3, Volk entered a plea of not guilty. On June 9, Volk appeared by video in custody to a scheduling conference where a jury trial date was set for September 4 and 5.

Volk was first charged with an OWI in Waupaca County in 1990, 1992, 1994, three in 1998 in Wisconsin,  one charge in 2015, one charge in Waushara County in 2018, three charges in Arizona, and his twelfth charge in January of 2025.