Former prosecutor pleads guilty to driving while visibly impaired

Former St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough pleaded guilty to driving while visibly impaired on Thursday, according to Michigan’s Attorney General’s Office.

McDonough was sentenced to a year of probation.

He was previously charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and having open intoxicants inside a motor vehicle, but those counts were dismissed due to the plea deal.

On May 11, 2020, McDonough was driving in Lockport Township when he crossed the center line, went off the roadway and crashed into a fence.

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded and conducted the investigation.

Deputies said McDonough’s BAC at the time of the incident was between .06 and .07.

McDonough’s case was moved out of St. Joseph County and prosecution was handled by the Attorney General’s Office.