PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Racine man with a lengthy record of impaired driving is now facing his ninth offense after police allegedly found him under the influence of cocaine and in possession of multiple illegal substances during a traffic stop earlier this week. Daniel L. Vasko, 55, appeared in Kenosha County court on Friday, where Court Commissioner Donald Bielski set his bail at $25,000 cash.

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Vasko is charged with felony operating while under the influence—his seventh, eighth or ninth such offense—along with misdemeanor counts of cocaine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted, he faces over 13 years of imprisonment and more than $30,000 in potential fines.

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According to the criminal complaint, a Pleasant Prairie police officer stopped Vasko around 2:25 a.m. on May 7 in the 6500 block of 54th Avenue in the City of Kenosha. The vehicle had no front license plate, prompting the stop. The officer identified Vasko as the driver and confirmed an active warrant for his arrest through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

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During the interaction, officers noted signs of impairment and obtained Vasko’s consent to search his person. Police say they found a sandwich baggie containing a white powdery substance in his pants pocket, which Vasko reportedly admitted was “probably coke.” He also told the officer he had used cocaine that afternoon—just hours before getting behind the wheel.

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Field sobriety tests were administered, and Vasko allegedly showed signs of impairment, including body tremors and poor balance. Officers also described Vasko’s internal clock as delayed, noting his miscalculations during time-estimation portions of the sobriety exam. Due to previous injuries, Vasko said he could not perform the one-leg stand or walk-and-turn tests.

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Based on the field sobriety results, his admission to recent drug use, and the physical evidence, Vasko was arrested at the scene. A search of his vehicle turned up additional suspected cocaine inside a glass jar, a crack pipe with residue, a digital scale with a razor blade and powdery substance, and an opened super glue container. Officers noted that super glue containers are sometimes used to inhale fumes for a high, based on their training and experience.

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Further testing confirmed the presence of cocaine. Police say the glass pipe and other paraphernalia were consistent with tools used to ingest controlled substances.

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The defendant’s criminal history includes eight prior OWI convictions stretching back more than three decades. According to records listed in the complaint, Vasko was convicted in:

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• 1989 (Ozaukee County)
• 1992 (Racine County)
• 1994 (Milwaukee County)
• 1996 (Racine County)
• 2001 (Racine County)
• 2006 (Kenosha County)
• 2011 (Kenosha County)
• 2017 (Kenosha County)

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Under Wisconsin law, a ninth OWI offense is a Class F felony. If convicted, Vasko would face a mandatory minimum of three years in prison. The maximum penalty includes up to 12 years and six months behind bars and a $25,000 fine. His misdemeanor drug charges carry additional penalties of up to one year in jail for cocaine possession and 30 days for possession of paraphernalia, along with further monetary fines and potential driver’s license suspensions.

At Friday’s hearing, Commissioner Bielski noted the severity of the allegations and Vasko’s extensive history before setting bail at $25,000 cash. The defendant remains in custody at the Kenosha County Jail.

Vasko is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on May 15.