A report of a reckless driver on I-94 in the Village of Raymond earlier this month led to a slew of criminal charges filed against a 37-year-old Milwaukee man.
Christopher Ridgley is charged with a felony count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a maximum potential prison term of 10 years and a $25,000 fine, along with misdemeanor counts of second offense operating while intoxicated, possession of THC, carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a firearm while intoxicated.
Ridgley remains free from custody on a $1,000 cash bond.
The criminal complaint: Reckless driving reported, intoxicated convicted felon with firearm arrested
Police were dispatched to the area of I-94 and Highway 41 for a reckless driving complaint on May 4 at 4:42 a.m. after dispatch received a report that a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling northbound and swerving all over the road.
A deputy observed the defendant’s vehicle as it passed the Highway K exit, then slowly drift from one lane to the exit ramp lane, then quickly back to its original lane. During that time, the officer stated Ridgley’s vehicle weaved within its lane several times and onto the shoulder twice.
The officer stopped the vehicle, and when he spoke to Ridgley, detected a strong odor of intoxicants. Ridgley’s eyes “were bloodshot and glassy, and his speech was slow,” the complaint states.
When asked how much he had to drink, the defendant stated, “Not much.” Police also found a green baggie on the front passenger floorboard that contained marijuana Ridgley said he had just purchased in Illinois.
Ridgley stated he had been drinking tequila, and that his last drink was at about 10 p.m. After a series of field sobriety tests, a preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.103.
Inside Ridgley’s vehicle, police found a handgun under the driver’s seat with a chambered round and one in the magazine. Dispatch further advised it had been reported stolen.
The two baggies of marijuana weighed 6.5 grams total and tested positive for THC.
According to criminal court records, Ridgley has previous felony convictions in Illinois, which led to the felony gun possession charge in the current case.
Ridgley is due back in Racine County Circuit Court on June 24, for a 9:30 a.m. status conference.
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