PETOSKEY, MI - A recently released video shows a federal judge suspected of driving while under the influence uttering vulgarities at a state trooper and being unable to explain damage to his car or why his airbags had deployed.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington, 72, was arrested on October 3, 2025, after a trooper said he had repeatedly failed to properly blow into a blood-alcohol device, KTVB reported.
"So what the hell are you doing?" Ludington, in handcuffs, can be heard saying as he was being placed in a patrol vehicle. "You're under arrest," the trooper replied. Ludington also told the trooper that he hadn't been drinking, saying, "Seriously, I don't think I had anything." At one point, he said, "Actually, I'm a federal judge."
Ludington crashed his Cadillac near his $2.7 million vacation home, Lifezette reported. Ludington struck two road signs. The vehicle was heavily damaged, with airbags deployed and visible side damage. He told the trooper he had been driving for three hours from Bay City. He said he was heading to his cottage in Harbor Springs at the time of the crash.
A blood test subsequently showed Ludington had a blood alcohol level of 0.27, police said, which is well above the legal limit of 0.08. When Ludington was instructed to recite the alphabet without singing, he responded with an expletive. "A, B, C, D, F, U..."
Police said he failed that test as well as other sobriety assessments. According to the arrest report, Ludington was "unable to follow the instructions despite repeated attempts." As the trooper instructed him on how to get into the patrol vehicle while restrained, Ludington made another remark directed at the officer. "Stupid son of a b*tch," he said.
Ludington was later charged with operating a car while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with a high blood alcohol content. The case is now pending in Emmet County. Michigan law classifies a blood alcohol level above 0.17 as "super drunk." The arrest report also noted that Ludington "appeared to have urinated himself."
Ludington has been a federal judge in Bay City, Michigan, for about 20 years. He has remained on the bench in the months since his arrest. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan announced that Ludington would take a voluntary leave of absence while his case proceeds.
The leave is paid, and Ludington earns $249,900 per year as a federal judge. In a statement, the court addressed the situation. "We value Judge Ludington as a colleague and friend," the court's statement said.
Ludington is scheduled to return to court on April 6 for a status conference in the criminal case. A jury trial is currently scheduled to begin on May 8. If convicted, Ludington could face penalties including up to 93 days in jail, a $500 fine, 360 hours of community service, and restrictions on driving.
The "super drunk" charge carries additional penalties. That offense could lead to up to 180 days in jail, a fine of $700, and 360 hours of community service.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington, 72, was arrested on October 3, 2025, after a trooper said he had repeatedly failed to properly blow into a blood-alcohol device, KTVB reported.
"So what the hell are you doing?" Ludington, in handcuffs, can be heard saying as he was being placed in a patrol vehicle. "You're under arrest," the trooper replied. Ludington also told the trooper that he hadn't been drinking, saying, "Seriously, I don't think I had anything." At one point, he said, "Actually, I'm a federal judge."
Ludington crashed his Cadillac near his $2.7 million vacation home, Lifezette reported. Ludington struck two road signs. The vehicle was heavily damaged, with airbags deployed and visible side damage. He told the trooper he had been driving for three hours from Bay City. He said he was heading to his cottage in Harbor Springs at the time of the crash.
A blood test subsequently showed Ludington had a blood alcohol level of 0.27, police said, which is well above the legal limit of 0.08. When Ludington was instructed to recite the alphabet without singing, he responded with an expletive. "A, B, C, D, F, U..."
Police said he failed that test as well as other sobriety assessments. According to the arrest report, Ludington was "unable to follow the instructions despite repeated attempts." As the trooper instructed him on how to get into the patrol vehicle while restrained, Ludington made another remark directed at the officer. "Stupid son of a b*tch," he said.
Ludington was later charged with operating a car while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with a high blood alcohol content. The case is now pending in Emmet County. Michigan law classifies a blood alcohol level above 0.17 as "super drunk." The arrest report also noted that Ludington "appeared to have urinated himself."
Ludington has been a federal judge in Bay City, Michigan, for about 20 years. He has remained on the bench in the months since his arrest. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan announced that Ludington would take a voluntary leave of absence while his case proceeds.
The leave is paid, and Ludington earns $249,900 per year as a federal judge. In a statement, the court addressed the situation. "We value Judge Ludington as a colleague and friend," the court's statement said.
Ludington is scheduled to return to court on April 6 for a status conference in the criminal case. A jury trial is currently scheduled to begin on May 8. If convicted, Ludington could face penalties including up to 93 days in jail, a $500 fine, 360 hours of community service, and restrictions on driving.
The "super drunk" charge carries additional penalties. That offense could lead to up to 180 days in jail, a fine of $700, and 360 hours of community service.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments