CASSOPOLIS — A serial drunk driver with a master’s degree will spend some time in jail after being convicted of his fourth drunken driving offense, and second in the past eight months.

Arthur Stillwell, 54, of Decatur, was sentenced Friday in Cass County Circuit Court to 18 months probation and 90 days in the local jail for charges stemming from a drunken driving offense on July 3 in Dowagiac.

Stillwell had a 0.25 blood alcohol level when police found him passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle in the parking lot of a Dowagiac recycling business. Police also confirmed that Stillwell had struck a cement block at the business.

“He hit a pole in this case, but next time it could be a kid,” said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz.

Before handing down the sentence, Judge Michael Dodge told the court Stillwell is a college graduate with a master’s degree who has been struggling with alcohol abuse for several years. Stillwell was on probation for a drunken driving offense in April at the time of the current incident.

“You pose a substantial danger to other people out on the highway when you get behind the wheel,” Dodge said.

Stillwell said he has quit drinking before and plans on quitting again.

“I’m trying to get my life back in order,” he said.

Stillwell gets credit for one day served. His driver’s license was revoked.