WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Details related to a potential misdemeanor charge against St. Joseph County Commissioner Don Eaton are expected to be yielded today by Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz.
Fitz was designated to handle the case against Eaton, who faces a charge of possession of a firearm while intoxicated, stemming from a late-July incident at Appplebee’s in Sturgis.
Fitz declined to elaborate on the situation before a warrant is issued for Eaton. He did note, however, that the warrant was expected to be authorized today.
Eaton, 52, said he briefly had a pistol in his pocket when he entered the restaurant’s bar area to retrieve his wallet and keys.
According to state law, Eaton could be sentenced to 93 days in jail and imposed a $100 fine. He also risks permanent revocation of his Concealed Pistol License, as his blood-alcohol content was in excess of 0.10 percent.
A three-year county commissioner, Eaton said he returned the pistol to his vehicle before Sturgis police arrived, he said.
