Man Confesses to Otto's Liquor Theft, Sold Booze for Drug Money

A Saukville man found guilty of a hit-and-run crash over the 2012 Fish Day weekend also admitted that he took liquor from Otto's a year ago.

Michael Frey, 21, was sentenced Thursday to 3 months in jail and 3 years probation for the hit and run as well as drug charges related to narcotics found in his car after the crash. He has already served 29 days in jail.

While on probation, the judge ordered him to stay sober, stay out of bars or liquor stores, be available for random drug testing, seek counseling for his addiction problem and have no contact with the victim, Chris Morano. Restituation owed to the victim is roughly $29,000.

The Otto's incident came up during sentencing. Frey had a clean record before the Port Washington hit-and-run crash, but did admit to stealing more than $500 in booze from Otto's Bayside Wine and Spirits. Frey had sold the liquor to buy more drugs for his addiction, his lawyer said in court.

Frey was found guilty in December on charges of hit-and-run, as well as charges for possession of narcotics and possession of a controlled substance for items found in his car after it was impounded.

"I don't doubt your sincerity to make your wrongs right, but you need some sort of supervison." Judge Sandy Williams told Frey on Wednesday, referring to the requirements of his probation. "Some people have addictive personalities, yours might be that."

The time behind bars, Williams said, was necessary to help Frey better understand the crime that was committed in fleeing the scene. Find full coverage of the sentencing on Port Washington-Saukville Patch.