A judge has granted bail for a man charged as a persistent offender with felony drunk driving.

Associate Judge Keith Marquart originally ruled that Michael McCarty was a danger to the community and denied bail. But after McCarty waived his preliminary hearing on Thursday, Marquart relented, and allowed the defendant to post a $1,000 surety bond. By Sunday, McCarty was still in custody.

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. As we reported, the vehicle was parked on the wrong side of the street in the traffic lane, according to the court document.

Police said they smelled “…the odor of adult beverage on his person and in the vehicle.” The affidavit says arresting officer found a half-gallon bottle of vodka in the vehicle, which was more than half empty. 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.

Judge Marquart ordered McCarty bound over for trial in Circuit Court. Arraignment is scheduled June 19 at 8:30 a.m. before Circuit Judge Patrick Robb.