Illinois woman charged with two counts of DWI with children in vehicle, stealing

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office charged a Colona, Illinois woman with two counts of driving while intoxicated with people under 17 in vehicle and stealing, all misdemeanors after she allegedly drank a complete bottle of Johnny Bootlegger in the restroom at Pete's Convenience Store in Carthage Tuesday then took off driving, kids in tow.

According to the probable cause statement, Ashli Mitchell (DOB 1989), Mitchell left Pete's without paying for the bottle and a store clerk called Carthage Police.

From the probable cause statement:

MPO Richards located the vehicle at Central and I49 where the female driver, later identified as Ashli L. Mitchell threw out a paper wrapper out the window. MPO Richards initiated a stop on the vehicle, however she failed to yield for approximately .4 miles from the stop light. In the vehicle was also the two juveniles (7 and 4 years of age). 

It was determined that Mitchell had consumed a bottle of Johnny Bootlegger in the family restroom before exiting the store and failing to pay for the alcohol. The alcohol was worth $2.70. Mitchell also had a suspended driver’s license out of Oklahoma. 

Mitchell had slurred and mumbled speech and the odor of intoxicants emitting from her breath as she spoke. Mitchell had bloodshot and watery eyes. Mitchell performed SFST roadside. During the test, I observed four clues in HGN, four clues in WAT, and three clues in OLS. Mitchell also provided a breath sample into a PBT that showed a BAC of .18.

Mitchell was then transported to the Carthage Police Department where she was read Implied Consent and denied a breath sample. After being read her Miranda Rights, she advised that it was Wednesday the 16th and that she had been operating the vehicle from Illinois to Oklahoma. 

Mitchell said that she had two shots, three hours ago. Mitchell then said that it was two hours ago she had two Jack Daniels, 10 minutes ago. Mitchell then asked what her charges were. When told her charges Mitchell said “all of those charges are bull s**t, besides the DUI." 

Mitchell has been previously charged with DUI, DWS and burglary/ theft from a vehicle.

The probable cause statement indicates Carthage Police recommended the following charges: driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, littering and stealing.