LIVINGSTON COUNTY – A Livonia man said Tuesday that he is turning down a plea offer to take his felony Reckless Endangerment, DWI and drug possession case to trial.
Paul Carey, 38, said that he wants to fight several charges, including: felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree; felony Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree; and felony Aggravated DWI. State Police allege that he led them on a chase during which his own kids jumped from the car because they felt unsafe. District Attorney Greg McCaffrey said that the offer is to 6 months of jail and 5 years on probation if Carey stays local. If Carey wants to move out of the county, the offer is a guilty plea to both felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree and felony DWI, 2 years in prison, and one year of post-release supervision.
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“I’ve had a lengthy discussion with my client on this,” said Carey’s Assistant Public Defender, Christopher Laragy. “We’d like to go to trial with this.”
The State Police’s investigation alleges that on June 5, 2016, Carey was driving in the Town of Livonia at around 5:17 p.m., when two children his vehicle ‘became scared due to his erratic behavior.’
They exited his vehicle when they were able to do so, but there was still one child in the vehicle. State Police located the vehicle on Richmond Mills Road and Carey fled, with additional state police and Livingston County Sheriff’s Deputies joining in to assist.
State Police allege that Carey drove into the oncoming lane and towards a state police vehicle at one point during the pursuit. Carey stopped in front of a residence on South Livonia Road, where he allegedly refused to obey commands and resisted arrest. State Police and Livingston County Sheriff’s Deputies were able to take Carey into custody.
State Police further allege that Carey was under the influence of drugs. Police discovered what are believed to be 21 suboxone strips inside Carey’s vehicle.
Carey has made bail or bond and been released from custody, to return to court with Laragy for pre-trial motions.
(L-R) Laragy and Carey.(Photo/Conrad Baker)