By Joe Bachman

A 50-year-old man has been charged with his 7th OWI after police say he was found to be intoxicated and behind the wheel.

Jorge Ramirez, of Nekoosa, is charged with his 7th offense of operating while intoxicated, as well as operating with a prohibited blood alcohol content.

According to reports, on Apr. 28, an officer approached a vehicle on the corner of Jefferson St. and 2nd Ave. in the city of Pittsville. The officer observed the driver failing to wear a seat belt, and soon turned on his emergency lights for a traffic stop.

The smell of intoxicants was observed during the stop, and the driver, identified as Ramirez, admitted to drinking alcohol that day. Ramirez failed the field sobriety test, and then refused to take a breathalyzer test.

Court records indicate that Ramirez has six prior convictions of operating while intoxicated since 1989.

If convicted, Ramirez faces up to ten years imprisonment and up to $25,000 in fines per count. Ramirez will face a jury on Jul. 26. He is currently out on a $2,000 bond.