Whitefish man to appeal fourth DUI

A 34-year-old Whitefish man was sentenced Feb. 28 in Flathead District Court to 13 months in jail followed by three years of probation for his fourth DUI.

Jay Silverson’s sentence, however, was stayed pending an appeal.

Silverson was sentenced by District Judge Heidi Ulbricht after pleading guilty to his fourth offense of driving under the influence. Silverson failed field sobriety tests and breath alcohol tests after being stopped by a Whitefish police officer on March 23, 2011. Once stopped, he told the officer, “I’m drunk, you got me.”

Breath alcohol testing showed Silverson’s alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

Silverson’s prior offenses for drunk driving came in October 1996, March 2005 and October 2007.