Deputies responded when someone reported a man firing a weapon and twirling a revolver around on a finger. They didn’t find anyone twirling a revolver, but they did find a man they said was OVWI with a BAC of .161.

Michael David Kuhlenschmidt, 40, Lyons, was arrested by Deputy Michael Coy of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department on Monday night, January 3.

Around 5:12 p.m. that Monday, Deputy Coy and Deputy Logan Milligan responded to a location on County Road 400 South where a man was reported to be making threats. Deputy Coy said when they arrived, a witness told them Michael Kuhlenschmidt had been outside firing a weapon then later was seen twirling what appeared to be a revolver around on his finger. Kuhlenschmidt was said to be driving a blue Ford Ranger but the deputies did not locate Kuhlenschmidt during their initial investigation and they completed the call.

Then a little after 6:10 p.m. as the two deputies were getting ready to leave the driveway of Kuhlenshmidt’s residence, a blue Ford Ranger approached but continued on CR 400 South past the residence and did not stop. Deputy Coy said it appeared as though the Ford Ranger was trying to put some distance between the Ranger and the deputies then turned on State Road 57. When Deputy Coy caught up with the Ranger on SR 57 near West County Line Road, he said the Ranger crossed the fog line and the driver, later identified as Kuhlenschmidt, tried to wave the deputy around.

A traffic stop was initiated around 6:20 p.m. Since getting the information about a possible firearm being involved earlier, Deputy Coy approached with caution but Kuhlenschmidt followed commands, putting his hands out the window then exiting the truck when asked. Deputy Coy reported locating a revolver on the floorboard on the passenger side of the cab.

Kuhlenschmidt allegedly showed several signs of intoxication including slurred speech and staggering when walking. Kuhlenschmidt allegedly failed standard field sobriety testing on the scene, agreed to take a chemical test and admitted he had some marijuana in a pocket. He was transported to the sheriff’s department where he failed another attempt at sobriety testing. According to Deputy Coy, Kuhlenschmidt tested with a blood alcohol content of .161 on a certified chemical breath test. The legal limit is .08.

Deputy Coy noted that Kuhlenschmidt was convicted in Greene County of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with endangerment and operating a vehicle while intoxicated in 2018.

Kuhlenschmidt was booked into the Greene County Jail at 8:01 p.m. with bond set at $8,500 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He has since posted bond and been released.

Kuhlenschmidt is scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court on January 20 for his initial hearing on charges of:

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor,
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person with a prior within seven years, a Level 6 felony,
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor,
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction within seven years, a Level 6 felony,
Operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .15 or more, a Class A misdemeanor,
Operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .08 or more with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony, and
Possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor.