Joplin man arrested for 12th DWI after leaving the scene of an accident

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed a felony driving while intoxicated charge against a Joplin man whose history includes nine convictions for driving under the influence dating back to 1988.

The prosecuting attorney's office filed a request that a high bond, or in the alternative no bond, be set for Michael E. Dahl, 65, citing Dahl's record, which includes his lengthy history of drunk driving and the circumstances that led to the current charge.

On November 29, 2023, defendant was arrested for driving while intoxicated (case number not yet assigned), driving while license is suspended or revoked (23NW-CR02072), driving on the wrong side of the road causing an accident (23NW-CR02098), and tampering with an ignition interlock device (23NWCR02099).

 The accident occurred at County Road Foliage at Spurgeon Road. According to the probable cause statement, Dahl left the scene and was pulled over by a Highway Patrol trooper on Rangeline Road at I-44.

Dahl told the trooper a neighbor had disconnected his ignition interlock device.

The complaint lists Dahl's previous convictions:

Defendant is a habitual offender required to serve a minimum of two years imprisonment before being eligible for parole in that: 

1. On or about May 4, 2022, defendant was found guilty of driving while intoxicated in the Circuit Court of Newton County for events occurring on December 9, 2021, and 

2. On or about June 24, 2019, defendant was convicted of driving while intoxicated in the Circuit Court of Jasper County for events occurring on December 17, 2018, and 

3. On or about June 23, 2014, defendant was convicted of driving while intoxicated in the Circuit Court of Jasper County, for events occurring on May 4, 2013, and 

4. On or about June 2, 2014, defendant was convicted of driving while intoxicated in the Circuit Court of Newton County, for events occurring on November 20, 2013, and 

5. On or about March 19, 2001, defendant was convicted of operating while intoxicated in the 2nd Circuit Court in St. Joseph, Michigan, for events occurring on January 17, 2001, and 

 6. On or about January 5, 2001, defendant was convicted of operating while intoxicated in the 5th District Court in St. Joseph, Michigan, for events occurring on December 29, 2000, and 

 7. On or about September 21, 1989, defendant was convicted of operating while intoxicated in the 5th District Court in St. Joseph, Michigan, for events occurring on September 11, 1989, and 

 8. On or about October 24, 1988, defendant was convicted of driving while intoxicated in the Washington County Court of Oregon for events occurring on October 8, 1988, and 

9. On or about February 11, 2004, defendant was convicted of driving under the influence in the Cook County, Illinois, Court for events occurring on December 6, 2003, and 

10. On or about January 25, 1991, defendant was found guilty of operating under the influence in the 5th District Court in St. Joseph, Michigan, for events occurring on January 9, 1991, and 

11, On or about August 21, 2003, defendant was found guilty of operating while intoxicated in teh 5th District Court in St. Joseph, Michigan, for events occurring on July 5, 2003.