Intoxicated man found inside stolen vehicle

Reports filed through the Lawrenceburg Police Department show that officers initially made contact with the man, identified as thirty-seven year old Michael Gordon Sexton of 4190 Thompson Hollow Road, Iron City, as he walked along Thomas Street Monday evening. He told officers that he was walking “to meet his girlfriend at Walmart because she got mad at him and left him at their friend’s house.” Officers report that he had no outstanding warrants and that he appeared to be “alert and walking normally.” They noticed that he was wearing a knife sheath, but report that it was empty. They also noted that “he was not patted down for weapons at that time due to it being a casual encounter.” Sexton obtained directions to Walmart and walked away.

Shortly afterwards officers were summoned to a Helton Drive home were the resident reported that someone had stolen a green, 2000 model Chevrolet Camaro. Officers were on the lookout for any sign of the car. They were soon called to Walmart on North Locust Avenue where there were reports of a green Camaro “rolling toward the building.”

When officers arrived, they report finding Sexton passed out in the driver’s seat with a screwdriver stuck in the driver’s side window. They report that the gear shifter had not been moved to the “park” position and that the car periodically rolled closer to the store building.

Officers repeatedly ordered Sexton to put the car in park however he failed to do so. They said that the car “would roll a couple of inches and stop,” noting that it occurred at least three times.

Eventually, officers were able to rouse Sexton enough to have him put the car in park. They did note that “he had difficulty finding the gear shifter.”

Officers could see that Sexton had a knife lying on his leg while he was inside the car. He was removed from the car and checked for additional weapons. While he was being patted down officers discovered that there was a syringe in the knife sheath.

Reports show that Sexton was unable to complete field sobriety tests due to his level of intoxication. He was arrested on charges of theft of property over $1,000, burglary, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Because his driver’s license was revoked at that time, he was additionally charged with driving on a revoked license.

Sexton was scheduled an initial appearance in Lawrence County General Sessions Court on July 6, 2017. He was incarcerated at the detention center under a bond of $46,000.