OWI: Man Arrested Twice in Two Hours
OWI: Man Arrested Twice in Two Hours Save Email Print
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POSTED: Saturday, May 31, 2008 -- 1:30pm

A Lafayette County man is arrested twice in less than two hours for drunk driving on Friday night.

The Grant County Sheriff's Department says 51-year-old Gene Geno of Benton was first arrested around 10:30 p.m. for operating while intoxicated.

After being taken to the Boscobel Police Department, Geno was released to a responsible party.

But, authorities near the Hickory Grove Township saw Geno and the responsible party who picked him up parked behind his vehicle.

Authorities say Geno then took the wheel of the responsible party's vehicle and drove it into the wayside, which caused authorities to once again administer a field sobriety test and arrest him for operating while intoxicated an hour and 20 minutes after his previous arrest.

Geno faces two counts of OWI.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Posted by: john Location: wv on Sep 7, 2008 at 07:18 PM
hello, again...how about an update
Posted by: john Location: WV on Aug 8, 2008 at 08:45 PM
what is the latest on his court appearance or sentence?
Posted by: Abby Location: Ankeny, Ia on Jun 5, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Gene was at one time apart of my family...much delight to me and others that ended. I do not have any kind words or thoughts on this man. All I can say, short and simple..."What goes around, comes around and isn't karma a _____."
Posted by: Anonymous Location: marquette ia on Jun 5, 2008 at 08:47 PM
this makes me sick. Gene makes me sick.
Posted by: Earth Calling on Jun 5, 2008 at 07:40 AM
NOBODY ELSE IS TO BLAME. It is bad enough the police and other citizens have to put up with drunk drivers, but then we have people whining about it being unfair that the police don't babysit. Come back to the real world.
Posted by: Gary on Jun 4, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Steven, please show me anything in the police handbook that says officers are to counsel alcoholics or people under the influence? They do not have the credentials nor the schooling/training to do this. You are dead wrong! I went to look up job descriptions of Madison Police Officers and there was no place that described what you are saying. Give me the proof that I can see for myself. Any websites or other police information? I bet the reason they released him was to "ruin his life". Give me a break you people who defend these guys are plain crazy. Wonder what you would be saying if they killed your son, daughter, mother....
Posted by: Eagle on Jun 3, 2008 at 10:47 AM
We need to sentence these multiple offenders to state hospital time. They need to spend a much longer time drying out. At some point they should be considered criminally insane. By the way, why is it everytime there is a article about drinking someone whines about there cigarettes. Maybe offer a solution instead being so self-centered.
Posted by: T on Jun 2, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Gary- You are right on. Jack- know what a Law Enforcement Officer can do. They did follow protocol by releasing him to a responsible party. By the way, his last OWI was in 89 well that is over 10 years ago so he starts all over again at 1st offense. Yes, the so called "responsible party" should have been cited also. When it comes to a responsible party they just need to be completely sober, sign a waiver that they are responsible, and take over from there. Again, like Gary said he is the one ruining his life not the officers. For all you cop haters out there, find a policy and procedure book and read it before you bash the cops. If you don't have a clue, don't open your mouth. SIMPLE!!
Posted by: Steven Location: Madison on Jun 2, 2008 at 03:15 PM
I have to agree with some of Jack D's comments! The police are supposed to serve as counselors! Its just not their job to arrest the bad guys! I think this could have been avoided and I am certain that these officers knew of this mans troubles and could have helped him out a bit by either keeping him jailed or getting him to a detox center! Gary you are so wrong when talking about the job description! You are obviously not in law enforcement! The vast majority of a police academy discusses counseling and how to use discretion! It doesnt talk about making life hard on people! Im not just speaking for myself here! There are cops all over that would consider this a bogus case and a bogus way to conduct police business! They did not need to release him and as I said I am sure they knew what would happen if they did because most cops know the people they arrest!
Posted by: Mac Location: Pardeeville on Jun 2, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Now there's a loser with a drunkin' death wish!
Posted by: Mike Location: Madison on Jun 2, 2008 at 02:10 PM
What about the so-called "responsible party", if they let him get behind the wheel of the vehicle, again, shouldn't they be liable, too?
Posted by: Gary Location: Madison on Jun 2, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Jack D - The police are not meant to be used for counselling pathetic drunks such as this guy. They did the right thing by law, have a responsible person pick him up. I am sure the officers at the jail determined this person to be sober and then specifically told the person what is expected of him/her after they release custody of the inmate. Did the police ruin his life or did he do that himself by getting behind the wheel again? Your reasonings are childish at best. Place blame on others rather on person committing the crime. The police did their job and followed protocol. Where in their job description does it state that police officers are to be alocohol counselors/teachers? Apparently this guy does not think he needs nor does he want help as he has been arrested for OWI previously in March of 1989 in which he was charged with causing great bodily injury while OWI. Now, if that does not make you start to think that you may need help.... What will?
Posted by: Anon Location: WI on Jun 2, 2008 at 10:45 AM
This guy did a few years of jail time several years back for a drunk driving accident - he cut off a guy's legs with his car...you'd think that would change a person, but I guess not...
Posted by: Buford T Location: Grant County on Jun 2, 2008 at 02:12 AM
Good work Lawman.
Posted by: Mariah Location: Madison on Jun 1, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Sadly, I have known this person since 1988 and it's been sad to see how over the years drinking and partying seem to always be first priority. There comes a point in life where you learn how much is too much and plan accordingly. You'd like to think that this may snap him out of it but only time will tell. Hopefully... no lives will be lost. Take heed to this warning: The handwriting is on the wall. You're 51 now. This is "stupid stuff" you do in your twenties. There is a problem and only YOU can find the solution.
Posted by: Salami on Jun 1, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Italian! Gee! LOL!!! Maybe I could get him to go to church with my dad! LOL!! LOL!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 1, 2008 at 02:41 PM
i nice beating is def in order for this one.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 1, 2008 at 11:06 AM
and i bet they do nothing to him other than he gets a ticket. how pathetic.
Posted by: OMG!!!! Location: Wisconsin on Jun 1, 2008 at 09:57 AM
How stupid does a person need to be to get twice in 2 hours................
Posted by: Not ignorant on Jun 1, 2008 at 06:43 AM
Where are the so called advocates who care about everyone's safety and health, NOW?!! Why aren't they making a huge fuss about drinking and driving, just as they did about smoking and cigarettes. If you really care about everyones health and safety, then show it by going after the real problem here in Wisconsin or would that one hit too close to home for you non smoking advocates.
Posted by: Lee Location: Madison on May 31, 2008 at 09:02 PM
What a loser!
Posted by: Anonymous on May 31, 2008 at 08:22 PM
jebus. they should take this fool out behind the courthouse and give him a good old fasion beating.
Posted by: Jamie Location: Madison on May 31, 2008 at 08:15 PM
What is so shocking about this!!! This is probably this guys 5th or even 6th OWI, compliments of our legal system!!! And to top it off this department should really look into who a responsible party really is, not some Joe Schmuck who is probably this guys friend and does just as much drinking as Mr. Geno does.
Posted by: AB Location: Madison on May 31, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Thats just funny. Here's your sign.
Posted by: Jerry Location: Madison on May 31, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Sad Sad Sad
Posted by: Jack D Location: Boscobel on May 31, 2008 at 03:36 PM
What ever happened to the police using discretion! If a man is under the influence of alcohol he cannot possibly make the right judgement! they let him go to a responsible party but was that party responsible? than they rearrest him for the same thing they just did 2 hours ago! NOT RIGHT NOT FAIR! They should have took his butt to the Grant County or Lafeyette county jail until he was no longer intoxicated! This mans life was ruined in one night by himself and than to add insult to injury the police added extra to show their power! The police need to do what they are hired to do and that is not just make arrest but to counsel, teach, keep the peace, protect, and serve! It is not their job to make make others lives miserable! they could have arrested him the first time and just put him in the jail and counseled him until sober! What a joke!
Posted by: Anonymous on May 31, 2008 at 02:16 PM
I was always under the impression if you get arrested for dui , you get booked and sit for 24 hrs.
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