A man charged as a persistent offender with drunk driving will remain behind bars pending his next court appearance, after a judge ruled he was a danger to the community. Officials say Michael McCarty has at least three prior DWI convictions.

A court affidavit says witnesses spotted a motorist swerving between lanes and stopping and appearing to pass out along Lovers Lane May 10. Officers say they found him in the back of his vehicle with the keys in his hands. The vehicle was parked on the wrong side of the street in the traffic lane, according to the court document.

Police said he had the odor of adult beverage on his person and in the vehicle. Police say they found a half-gallon bottle of vodka in the vehicle, more than half gone. He allegedly told officers he “…just wanted to drive around and get wasted for his birthday, and admitted to driving.” Police say he refused a breath test at the scene.

Officials say he was also driving without a license.

Associate Judge Keith Marquart ruled that McCarty was a danger to the community and refused to set bail. He scheduled the case for the preliminary-hearing docket June 1. McCarty will apply for a public defender.