November 23, 2024
Local News

Fifth DUI nets Wonder Lake man 5 1/2 years in prison

WOODSTOCK – A judge on Thursday sentenced a Wonder Lake man who was convicted of his fifth DUI to 5 1/2 years in prison.

A jury found 34-year-old Joshua D. Hachmeister guilty of aggravated DUI after a trial in May.

He was charged June 9, 2013, by Wonder Lake police.

When asking for the minimum sentence of four years in prison, his attorney, Special Public Defender Hank Sugden, said there was no evidence presented at trial that Hachmeister was driving impaired, calling it a "he said/she said" case.

"The bottom line is he's not a criminal, he's an alcoholic," Sugden said. "… Alcohol is his problem, not criminal activity."

Assistant State's Attorney David Metnick pointed to Hachmeister's criminal background, including four prior DUI arrests over 12 years and other charges including domestic battery and bail jumping. Metnick asked Judge Gordon Graham to sentence Hachmeister to 10 years in prison.

"The defendant has demonstrated a complete disregard for following the law," he said.

– Chelsea McDougall