ST. IGNATIUS  – As Galen L. Hawk sat across from Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives Oct. 22,  denying he knew how 3-year-old Lonato Moran-Allen was shot and killed, he might have been worried about his own skin. According to Lake County court records, Hawk’s record showed 3 prior driving under the influence convictions and one DUI case still apparently unresolved from 2012.

Hawk, who was expected to be arraigned in Lake County District Court on felony negligent homicide charges Nov. 5, claimed he was drunk at the time of the accidental shooting of the boy Oct. 22.

According to Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Hawk has a troubled history of criminal activity while intoxicated.

On Dec. 29, 2012, Then-St. Ignatius Police Chief Aaron Frank stopped Hawk on St. Mary’s Drive for suspected driving under the influence.

Frank reported that Hawk, “appeared to be intoxicated and he noticed an odor of intoxicants emanating from (Hawk’s) breath,” court records said.

When Hawk arrived at the Lake County Jail, his blood alcohol content was .162 - about twice the legal limit. Hawk was charged with his fourth felony driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs offense and his fourth felony operation of a noncommercial vehicle by a person with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more, fourth or subsequent offense.  

Prosecutors who prepared Hawk’s legal paperwork for the 2012 arrested said Hawk’s driving record showed, “at least three prior convictions for DUI.”

Hawk resurfaced for cops when the boy died from a bullet allegedly fired from the gun Hawk held in his hand.