Livingston County undersheriff pleads guilty in drunk driving case

The former Livingston County Undersheriff charged in connection to an October drunk driving arrest pleaded guilty, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Monday.

Jeffrey Warder was arrested Oct. 26 after a Michigan State Police trooper pulled him over on D-19. The trooper noted he looked intoxicated and could smell alcohol in the car. Warder consented to a breath test on scene, which resulted in a preliminary blood alcohol content of .123. A blood test was later drawn and reflected a blood alcohol content of .133.

Due to being the undersheriff, a special prosecutor was requested by Livingston County. Warder resigned in November.

Monday morning before Judge Daniel Bain, Warder pleaded guilty to operating while visibly impaired, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and/or a fine of $300 and/or 360 hours of community service and rehabilitative programs.

“We must hold public servants accountable when they fall short of their oath,” Nessel said. “No one—irrespective of their position—is above the law.”

In December, Warder was charged with operating while intoxicated and open container of alcohol in a vehicle – both misdemeanors. Those charges are dropped in exchange for his guilty plea.

Following the plea, Bain moved immediately to sentencing and sentenced Warder to fines and costs. Bain acknowledged this was Warder’s first offense, his lack of criminal record, the results of his substance abuse evaluation, his loss of employment due to the incident, recent statutory changes, and the fact that Warder has already enrolled himself in counseling as well as other services.