West Virginia Multiple DUI Offender Avoids Life Sentence

A West Viriginia man with multiple drunken driving convictions has avoided a life sentence for the latest charges.

John David Caldwell pleaded guilty Monday in Cabell County Circuit Court to third-offense driving under the influence, third-offense driving on a suspended/revoked license for DUI and fleeing while DUI.

The Herald-Dispatch reports that Circuit Judge Alfred Ferguson sentenced the 49-year-old Caldwell to five-to-16 years in prison. Caldwell also must receive alcohol treatment while in prison.

According to court records, Caldwell has been arrested on DUI charges 13 times and has at least seven felony third-offense DUI convictions since September 1982.

Caldwell was eligible for a life sentence but prosecutors chose not to pursue it in exchange for his guilty plea.