DWI suspect charged with disorderly conduct

Published 6:35 am Thursday, May 20, 2010

An Austin man who allegedly drunkenly defecated on himself while being arrested, then tried to spread the feces on an officer, was charged with disorderly conduct and driving while under the influence Tuesday.

Michael Charles Braaten, 61, appeared in court Tuesday and was released on his own recognizance with conditions, including random drug testing and no alcohol use. He is scheduled for arraignment on May 27.

According to a criminal complaint, police responded to a drunk driving call Saturday at around 11:30 p.m. They found Braaten sitting in a vehicle in the 200 block of Fourth Street Southwest, making movements indicating that he wanted to drive away. Officers noticed a strong smell of alcohol from inside the vehicle, and Braaten had watery, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, the complaint states.

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Braaten was cuffed, but as we was being led away, he complained that he had to go to the restroom. When police arrived at the jail downtown, Braaten had soiled himself, the complaint states. While getting out of the squad car, he allegedly leaned over and tried to rub his pants against an officer.

Braaten showered up and was taken into custody, the complaint states.

Records indicate that Braaten was previously charged with DWI in November 2002, and that he had his license revoked in January 2003.

He refused to submit to a breath test Saturday night, so his blood-alcohol content at the time of the arrest is unknown.