Staff Report

WARSAW – A Warsaw man has been arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence and threatening law enforcement.

Devon Pete Poe

Devon Pete Poe, 38, 3454 E. East Ridge Drive, Warsaw, is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a class C misdemeanor; resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; and operating a vehicle with an ACE of .08 or more where the defendant has a prior conviction and intimidation, both level 6 felonies.

On Oct. 15, Kosciusko County dispatch advised officers on a welfare check in Warsaw. A caller advised that a man, later identified as Poe, was possibly asleep at the wheel and that Poe was attempting to drive away. When officers arrived, they saw Poe standing near the driver’s door, exhibiting physical signs of intoxication.

According to court documents, Poe admitted to officers that he was driving the vehicle when it died. Officers observed a small, clear bag on the center console of the vehicle that resembled synthetic marijuana, or spice. Officers administered a standardized field sobriety test to Poe, who failed. Officers obtained a search warrant for a certified chemical test, in which the results are still pending.

Poe became increasingly agitated, stating that he was not consenting to a blood draw, and threatened the officers and their families. Poe refused to stand up to leave the hospital after the blood draw, and officers proceeded to carry Poe out of the hospital to a waiting patrol car. He was taken to the Kosciusko County Jail.

Poe is still in the Kosciusko County Jail as of Oct. 22. He is awaiting his initial hearing in court.

Poe has a prior felony conviction of operating while intoxicated from 2021.