Bail was set at $250,000 in Lewis County Superior Court Tuesday for an Ethel man charged for felony driving under the influence.
Michael Wayne Osborn, 30, was arrested in the early morning hours of July 15 in Chehalis after allegedly being found behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated before becoming combative with officers.
For his most recent arrest, Osborn has been charged with felony DUI and first-degree malicious mischief — both Class B felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine — as well as first degree-driving while license suspended, resisting arrest and obstructing a law enforcement officer, all gross misdemeanors punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of $5,000.
Osborn has previous convictions from 2015 to 2024 for driving under the influence, hit-and-run, vehicular assault, third-degree assault, driving with a suspended license and malicious mischief.
At the time of his arrest, he was released on conditions from another felony DUI charge, according to court records.
At about 11:33 p.m. July 14, Chehalis police officers received a complaint that Osborn was driving his vehicle past his ex-girlfriend’s home on Pacific Avenue. The caller said he drove by several times before peeling out in the parking lot.
Less than an hour later, officers were dispatched to Southwest William Street for a report of a man walking around the property with a baseball bat. The caller said the man, believed to be Osborn, appeared to be under the influence and left in a black Ford Ranger toward Penny Playground.
Officers located the vehicle parked in the area with its headlights on. Officers approached the driver, who had driven partially onto the curb, and noticed an open can of beer in the center console, according to court records. A baseball bat was seen in the back of the truck.
The driver was identified as Osborn.
“Osborn admitted to having ‘a couple drinks,’” prosecutors wrote in the affidavit of probable cause. “While speaking with Osborn, officers noticed he had trouble maintaining his balance and used the truck to lean on. Officers observed the keys to the vehicle were in the ignition. Osborn refused to perform field sobriety tests. Osborn was initially arrested for physical control. While trying to arrest Osborn, he became combative with officers and refused to be cuffed. After quite a struggle with Osborn the officers had to use force to arrest Osborn. Osborn became extremely abusive toward the officers. Once in the patrol vehicle, Osborn began to slam his head into the back window, causing damage to the window (knocking it off its track). The patrol vehicle was taken out of service to be repaired. Once at the jail, Osborn had to be placed in the WRAP. Osborn refused to provide a breath sample and a warrant to obtain his blood was obtained by a licensed phlebotomist. The results are pending.”
On Tuesday, defense attorney Rachel Tiller asked Lewis County Superior Court Commissioner Cailen Cecil to set Osborn’s bail at $20,000, while Chief Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead asked for bail to be set at $250,000.
Cecil sided with the prosecution, noting Osborn’s criminal history and driving record.
“There seems to be very little done to keep you from driving under the influence,” Cecil said before setting bail at $250,000.
If Osborn does post bail, he will be placed on electric home monitoring that includes monitoring the presence of alcohol, which he is barred from having upon release as the case proceeds.
Osborn’s arraignment is set for July 17.
