Fine for Eaton

St. Joseph County Commissioner Don Eaton was fined $200 on a charge of disturbing the peace, related to a July incident at the Sturgis Applebee’s.

The charge was reduced from what could have been possession of a firearm while intoxicated, as Eaton was found to have had a blood-alcohol level in excess of 0.08 percent while he was in possession of a pistol inside the Sturgis business.

The charge was the result of negotiations between Eaton’s legal representative and officials from the office of Cass County Prosecuting Attorney Victor Fitz.

Eaton, 52, appeared before District Court Judge Jeff Middleton Friday, apologized and paid the fine. He also surrendered his .357-caliber pistol.

Eaton said Middleton indicated the sentence was consistent with what was given to other defendants in past cases of disturbing the peace.