Eagan Man Blows .344 on Blood-Alcohol Test, Charged with DWI

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An Eagan man has been charged with drunken driving after police say he registered a .344 percent blood-alcohol content then swore at them, tried to grab an officer’s belt and called them names after he was arrested.

Jeffrey Thomas Peterson, 30, is charged with three gross misdemeanors: second-degree DWI, third-degree DWI and obstructing legal arrest, each of which carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine. He is also charged with fourth-degree damage to property, a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Peterson's blood-alcohol level was more than four times the legal limit of .08 percent.

According to the criminal complaint, signed by Airport Police Detective Mark Gullickson, an airport police officer on patrol spotted Peterson driving on Highway 55 near Hiawatha Avenue, swerving over the highway’s fog line, slamming on his brakes and nearly driving off the road.

The officer stopped Peterson’s car and spoke to him, noting that he smelled of alcohol, his speech was slurred and his eyes were red and watery, the complaint says. Peterson admitted drinking earlier, but refused to perform field sobriety tests. A preliminary breath test showed a blood-alcohol content of .344 percent, the complaint charges.

Peterson told officers that he wanted to speak to an attorney. He used his cell phone to make a call, then put it on speaker and put it on a table. While he was speaking to the woman on the other end of the phone, he said he was going to “freak out” and added, “This fat cop is going to get hurt,” according to the complaint.

While he was leaving the interview room, Peterson reached out and grabbed an officer’s duty belt. He complained that his handcuffs were too tight and banged them repeatedly against a wall. After an officer loosened them, Peterson continued smashing them against the wall and door, damaging both, according to the complaint.

Peterson continued to be uncooperative, calling an officer “fatty” and “retard” and several profane names, the complaint charges. While an officer was escorting Peterson away, he tapped the officer’s chest with his elbow and started to raise his elbow toward the officer’s face, the complaint says.

Peterson was convicted of another DWI in 2009.

Peterson has been released from custody on a $12,000 bond. He is scheduled to make a first appearance on the charges Oct. 5 in Hennepin County District Court.