Former sheriff arrested for DUI

Monday, December 7, 2009
Frisbie

GREENCASTLE -- Former Putnam County Sheriff Mark T. Frisbie was arrested late Friday.

Frisbie, 38, was booked into the Putnam County Jail and charged with misdemeanors operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and public intoxication, Sgt. Rich Myers of the Putnamville Post of the Indiana State Police said.

Frisbie was pulled over by Indiana State Police Trooper Michael Wood on U.S. 231 at Tennessee Street in Greencastle.

"He was driving erratically," Myers said. "He went off to the right on the road, then he went left of center. When he turned onto 231 from Veteran's Highway, the turn was abrupt."

Myers declined to reveal what Frisbie's exact blood alcohol content was at the time of the arrest.

"We don't release the results of testing," he said. "What I can say is that (Frisbie) was over the legal limit, which is .08 percent."

Frisbie was arrested without incident, Myers said.

Sgt. Tyler Turner of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department said Frisbie posted a $3,000 surety bond and was released from jail at about 5 p.m. Saturday.

"The reports had all been forwarded to the prosecutor," Turner said.

Frisbie is currently on federal probation. He was convicted in November 2008 of federal program theft, and entered the United States Penitentiary satellite camp in Atlanta, Ga. on Feb. 2. He was released from the camp on March 31, and served four months on home detention before beginning his two-year term of probation.

Frisbie could have been sentenced to 10 years and prison and been assessed a $250,000 fine for the federal charge. He pled guilty to that count in August 2008, a week after he resigned as Putnam County Sheriff.

Putnam County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Justin Long said he was unsure how the new charges would affect Frisbie's federal probation.

"That will be up to his federal probation officer," Long said. "In the grand scheme of things, these are pretty minor charges. They may not do anything."

Frisbie will be in Putnam County Circuit Court at 9 a.m. Wednesday for an initial hearing on the new charges.

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  • Frisbie is currently on federal probation. guess he still thinks he above the law. hope he goes back to jail. don't think he has learned his lesson.

    -- Posted by Sand mann on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 12:21 AM
  • DUDE, where's my car?

    -- Posted by CdaleResident on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 4:26 AM
  • How could he have learned a lesson? He was never taught one!! Not even two months in jail, 4 months home detention and 2 years probation? What a joke. I'm sorry, but if you are in law enforcement and you break the law..your punishment should be stiffer. Maybe this time he will get a punishment he deserves. He will continue to think he is above the law as long as someone lets him!

    -- Posted by putnammom on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 6:47 AM
  • Good thing he was pulled off the streets before anyone got hurt.

    Let that be a lesson to all you kids out there, "Don't be a former Sheriff and drink and drive"- it looks bad!

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 6:51 AM
  • He drove home drunk when he WAS sheriff many many times!!

    -- Posted by senior'08 on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 7:10 AM
  • I believe the banner missed one, it seems there was another arrest for DUI and probation violation yet I don't see his picture on the front page.

    -- Posted by Trying hard on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 7:48 AM
  • Way to go Frisbee.... This guy is more a nuisance than people that were in his jail as a Sheriff yet he continues to get special treatment.... He should be treated like any other criminal and maybe should be held more accountable since he should KNOW what the laws are about stealing and drinking and driving.

    -- Posted by Innocent on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 8:42 AM
  • I'm astounded to hear Long say that "in the grand scheme of things these are pretty minor charges." Would they be minor if he had hit someone head on, maybe a car full of children. It wouldn't be minor if he had done damage to anyone. Please re-track that statement!!!!

    -- Posted by whodouthinkur on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 9:30 AM
  • Judge not lest ye be judged!

    Please pray for Mark and his family, it's obvious he needs help.

    -- Posted by Falcon9 on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 9:43 AM
  • Well, well, well... welcome back to the PCSD, Mark...

    -- Posted by GreencastleMom2009 on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 9:48 AM
  • Thank you dandygrandy! This young man does indeed need help with his drinking problem. The comments on this article show absolutely no compassion for Mark. I know he brought this all on himself, but he has paid the penalty imposed on him for the missing funds at the jail. Now, he needs to realize he has a big problem with alcohol and must get help. He certainly won't get any help or support from the majority of Putnam County people (at least, the ones who post on this forum). I know Mark and am truly saddened that he has thrown away so many opportunities. My heart goes out to his parents, who are good people.

    -- Posted by not gullible on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 9:56 AM
  • In this picture it looks like he is on more than alcohol! WOW!

    -- Posted by nikkilpn on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 10:07 AM
  • Put in perspective the question posed to Long - his comment was appropriate ...... and the word is retract -- not re-track

    -- Posted by BG-reader on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 10:35 AM
  • How many of you have done wrong and just havn't got caught? I'm sure many of you gosiping have. I could list many public figures I've seen out drinking, teachers, officers, church friends. We all have done something in our lifes that are not right, some worse than others. If the world would mind their own business...instead of thriving on what we can gosip about...this world would be so much better...we need to focus on the people who need help this time of year. Children who go to bed hungry at night, and those children who will wake up Christman morning and have no gifts to open...how about you people focus on that, instead of gosiping about others and adding more stress to their families.

    -- Posted by northcounty08 on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 10:51 AM
  • Long said. "In the grand scheme of things, these are pretty minor charges. They may not do anything."

    What? I bet Mother of Drunk Drivers and Students against Drunk Drivers... ect, would strongly disagree. In this same paper during the holidays we see of "stepped up patroling to seek out drunk drivers" and this joker Long thinks these are minor charges. Bet he would not say that had he had a family member killed by a (minor charge)drunk driver.

    This is s sad story all the way around. Frisbee is no longer a public official so his choices at this point are not of my concern, but please don't hurt someone drinking and driving.

    -- Posted by tjchopper on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 11:00 AM
  • I am happy that no was hurt in this incident. I truly am.BUT...It amazes me just how many people in this county take pleasure in another person's pain.He screwed up. He admitted it.He went to prison for it.Is there any legitimate reason to continue to crucify the man in public?

    BG Editor: This paper stinks.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 11:00 AM
  • WHAT!!!!!!!!!

    In the grand scheme of things these are pretty minor charges?????????

    Unbelievable, Putnam County. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!

    -- Posted by ExHoosier on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 11:12 AM
  • The way I read it is that Long is suggesting these might be considered (by the federal probation officer) minor charges in the grand scheme of any federal parole violations related to Mark's initial charges, Long is not stating that DUI is a minor offense -

    -- Posted by BG-reader on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 11:15 AM
  • citizenoftheworld (funny name LOL) - if the paper stinks - hello - don't read it!

    -- Posted by BG-reader on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 11:17 AM
  • You go BG-reader. Whatever....I'm only glad that he didn't hurt someone. What else does it take. His family has nothing to do with it. Mark has done this all on his own. I'll bet you would be singing another song had someone you known been hurt by poor Mark while he WAS DRIVING DRUNK!!!!!!!!!

    -- Posted by whodouthinkur on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 11:20 AM
  • northcounty08...I think what people are most angry about is the fact the he "continues" to break the law. And that he he got off so easy with the whole theft deal and doesn't even appreciate it. And I'm sure you have never gossiped or had an opinion about anyone before either. How about the many child molesters that are in the paper? Do you have remorse for them? Do you say "Well we all have done something not right?" Or do you get angry and form an opinion of that person? People have a right to their opinion. They have a right to be angry when this guy had the job of protecting the law and he spat on it. Not only did he break the law once...but numerous times. We are all entitled to mistakes. But we should be punished for them, we should learn from them and we should grow from them. He obviously has not done that and it's because he thinks he can do what he wants and get away with it.

    -- Posted by putnammom on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 11:43 AM
  • Funny name and BG reader is so original......this paper does stink and so does the attitude of most of people is this commentary.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 11:59 AM
  • I must admit that reading the article about Mark was troubling and saddening. However, I think that the commentary regarding Mark, found on this site, is more troubling still. I can remember many, many people who could not wait to ride the former Sheriff's coat-tails when they thought they could get something for it. . . be it favorable treatment, notoriety, status, etc. When Mark fell, it appears that no one wanted to be around him. He has made mistakes, and whatever you may feel about the appropriateness or inappropriateness of his connduct in the past, or his sentence given by a federal judge, it should appear clear to anyone who knows him that Mark has a serious problem. He is an alcoholic and is clearly in denial about it. He does not think he is above the law. . . his alcoholism does not allow him to think at all. He just acts. Sad, yes. But true. I think we would all do well to remember that not one of us has never experienced a family member or friend with the same serious problem. Mark will be in my thoughts and prayers, and I ask all readers to resist the urge to throw a life away instead of thinking of ways to save it.

    -- Posted by voiceofreason39 on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 12:23 PM
  • Mark has some serious demons to get over. Let's not forget right or wrong he's still a human being. He shouldn't be rowing that boat alone as there was more than just Mark and George involved. So will all of you be laughing when he throws himself off a roof? If you stand by and watch him do this to himself you are just as guilty as he is, not asking him for his keys. It seems no one, especially in this county, can be happy unless they can bask in the misery of others.

    -- Posted by Bentoverabarrel on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 1:33 PM
  • Only 3 letters can describe this:

    LOL!

    -- Posted by Mercidos on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 1:36 PM
  • Thank you voiceofreason39, I couldn't agree with you more,he has lost just about everything. I don't agree with alot of what Mark has done, but I'm faaaaar from perfect. I just PRAY that he gets the faith again and climbs out of this. He has a good heart, I've seen it many times. love you brother and will pray for you and your family.

    -- Posted by mike johnson on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 1:47 PM
  • And this is the man who was angered by the fact Sheriff Helmer hired an ex-inmate. How's that for a contradictory statement!

    -- Posted by cmg071580 on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 2:09 PM
  • I just don't see why he didn't move somewhere else, with court permission, and start fresh. I would probably hit the bottle, too, knowing how much ppl hated me around here, and what I had put my family thru.

    -- Posted by Sputty on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 3:27 PM
  • Mark served time for his crime. Just because it was not as long as some think it should be is not his fault. According to the Putnam Scanner, in the past week there were atleast eight DUI's. Where is their pic and front page article? They are not an ex-sheriff so does that mean that they could not cause harm to others while drinking and driving? Alcoholism is a disease and I think it should be treated as such. Mark should not have been driving, but let's stop critisizing him and try to help him. Instead of being an outsider, try to put yourself in his families shoes...how you would feel if this was your dad, son, brother, uncle?

    -- Posted by pcmom on Mon, Dec 7, 2009, at 4:15 PM