By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Trevor James Coon, 22, of 210 4th St., Ludington, was found guilty Dec. 21 of domestic violence and sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; and $535 in fines and costs. – Anthony John McGraw, 69, no address listed, was found guilty Dec. 22 of driving while license suspended (DWLS) and operating while intoxicated and sentenced to 23 days in jail with credit for 23 days served; one year discretionary jail for one year for count one; 93 days discretionary jail for count two; must attend the next session of the victim’s impact panel (VIP); outpatient treatment; no alcohol/drugs; subject to random preliminary breath tests (PBTs) and drug tests; and $1,485 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to Secretary of State (SOS). Counts of operating with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .17 or more; reckless driving; and driver transporting open intoxicants dismissed. – Maria Lin Mahoney, 37, of 149 N. Stiles Rd., Amber Township, pleaded “no contest” Dec. 18 to disorderly person — drunk and was sentenced to 30 days […]
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79th District Court sentencings.
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Fountain man sentenced to jail for 4th-degree CSC.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 26-year-old Fountain man currently lodged in the Lake County Jail was sentenced in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 5, to a one-year jail term for a conviction of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC). In addition to the jail term, Michael Ryan Albaugh, of 6694 E. Oak Ridge, was sentenced to five years probation and must have no contact with the victim or minor females. Albaugh is incarcerated in the Lake County Jail until June 20, according to his defense attorney David Glancy. He received credit for 358 days already served in jail, and his Mason County sentence runs concurrently to the Lake County case.
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Allendale man sentenced to jail for attempted sexual assault.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 24-year-old Allendale man was sentenced to one year in jail for attempted first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) with a child under the age of 13 in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 5. William Rhody Dwyer, Jr., testified last November that the inappropriate touching of the young girl occurred between the time span of May 2008 to January 2009. Dwyer originally faced two felony counts of first-degree CSC – victim under 13/defendant over 17 and one felony count of second-degree CSC – victim under 13/defendant over 17. Those three counts were dismissed when he pleaded to the added fourth count. Dwyer, who received credit for 252 days served in jail, must also serve 180 days on a tether after his release from jail. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victim. Judge Susan K. Sniegowski also ordered that he serve five years probation. If Dwyer completes the probation with no violations, he can withdraw his plea and plead to accosting a child for immoral purposes. The victim provided an emotional allocution during Dwyer’s sentencing, stating that she has “flashbacks” of incidents and that she […]
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Fountain man sent to jail for attempted assault.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 60-year-old Fountain man was sentenced to serve 90 days in jail up front of a one-year discretionary term for a conviction of attempted felonious assault in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 5. Thomas Lee Tribble, of 4851 N. Cleveland St., pleaded guilty to the charge last November. Tribble initially faced felony counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and felony firearm and two misdemeanor counts of second-offense domestic violence stemming from an Aug. 1 incident in the Village of Fountain. Tribble’s conviction of attempted felonious assault is a high-court misdemeanor. Tribble, who does not have a lengthy criminal history, brandished a long gun, Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola said. No one was injured in the incident, Spaniola added. “The circumstances of this case show a civil dispute that got out of hand,” said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. Tribble, who was credited for 10 days served in jail, was also ordered to one year probation.
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Ludington woman faces prison for receiving, concealing.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 35-year-old Ludington woman who pleaded guilty Tuesday, Jan. 5, in 51st Circuit Court to receiving and concealing stolen property more than $1,000/less than $20,000 and second-offense habitual offender faces to two to seven years in prison. Andrea Benet King Pena, of 309 N. Washington Ave., testified that on Oct. 29 she found medical supplies in her garage that were stolen from a veterinary clinic on South Washington Avenue, and she concealed them. Pena’s plea agreement calls for her sentence to run concurrently to a probation violation conviction and she must provide truthful testimony against co-defendants in the case. Sentencing is set for Feb 16 at 2 p.m.
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Home invader sent to jail.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 25-year-old Mount Morris, Michigan man was sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 5, in 51st Circuit Court to serve six months up front of a one-year discretionary jail sentence for a conviction of second-degree home invasion. In exchange for Michael Scott Bailey’s guilty plea last November, six felony counts were dismissed, which include three felony firearm counts; one first-degree home invasion count; one count of larceny of firearms; and one count of receiving and concealing stolen firearms. Bailey testified in November that he and two co-defendants entered a home in Amber Township on Jan. 23, 2014 that is owned by a co-defendant’s grandfather. Part of his plea agreement is to provide truthful testimony against the co-defendants Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola said “a large amount of items were taken, mainly firearms.” Bailey, who received five days jail credit for time served, was also ordered to two years probation.
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79th District Court sentencings include drug charges, disorderly.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Kelly Marie Jason, 28, of 883 Bernie Lane, Madison Heights, Michigan, was found guilty Dec. 30 of use of narcotic/cocaine/methamphetamine/ecstasy. She was sentenced to 28 days in jail with credit for two days served; one year discretionary jail for two years; driver’s license suspended one year/restricted after 30 days; $775 in fines and costs; no alcohol/drugs; random preliminary breath tests (PBTs) and drug tests; must seek and maintain employment; and must have a substance abuse evaluation and follow recommendations. One count of possession of narcotic/cocaine less than 25 grams was dismissed. – Michael Mason Durham, 25, of 302 N. Robert, Apt. 1, Ludington, was found guilty Dec. 23 of domestic violence. He was sentenced to five days in jail with credit for five days served; $905 in fines and costs; 93 days discretionary jail for two years; must have Hands Down evaluation and follow recommendations; no alcohol/drugs; and subject to random PBTs and drug tests. One count of assault by strangulation was dismissed. – Lester Leroy Lathuroup, 48, of 1319 Muskegon, Apt. 1, Grand Rapids, was found guilty Dec. 28 of disorderly person […]
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79th District Court arraignments include home invasion, assaulting prison a employee, embezzlement.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies Robin Jon Sarres, 58, no address listed, was arrested by LPD for felonies of absconding bond and third-offense habitual offender. Probable cause hearing: Jan. 13 at 1:15 p.m. Bail: $15,000/cash/surety/10 percent. Steven Craig Holtrust, 59, of 707 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington, was arrested Jan. 4 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for felonies of first-degree home invasion and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Probable cause hearing: Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. Bail: $10,000/personal. John Carl Grech, 27, of 7380 M 116, Hamlin Township, was arrested Jan. 3 by the Michigan State Police (MSP) for a felony of possession of a schedule 4 drug and a misdemeanor of open intoxicants in a motor vehicle. Preliminary exam conference: Jan. 13 at 1:15 p.m. Bail: $3,500/cash/surety/10 percent cash. Robert James Adair, 31, of 206 ½ W. 3rd St., Scottville, was arrested Jan. 2 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office for a felony of third-degree fleeing and eluding and misdemeanors of operating while intoxicated and failure to stop at a collision. Probable cause hearing: Jan. 13 at 1:15 p.m. Bail: […]
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Lansing attorney pleads ‘no contest’ to 2nd-degree child abuse.
LUDINGTON — Lansing-area attorney David James Anderson, 63, who pleaded “no contest” to attempted second-degree child abuse in 51st Circuit Court Thursday Jan. 7, faces six months in jail. The plea was tendered pursuant to a plea agreement in which two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct are to be dismissed at sentencing, according to a press release issued by Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola Friday, Jan. 8. “A no contest plea is treated by the court the same as a guilty plea for purposes of a criminal conviction,” the press release states. “Those charges involved two separate incidents of sexual contact with a 12-year-old minor while at a hunting lodge in Sherman Township, Mason County in November, 2014. To provide a factual basis to support the no contest plea, Judge Susan K. Sniegowski read a portion of the report from the Michigan State Police, Cadillac Post, which indicated the nature of the physical abuse of the child. “The plea agreement between Mr. Anderson, Defense Attorney Gary Springstead, and Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola further provides that the defendant is to serve a term of up to six months in the Mason County Jail; be placed on probation; […]
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51st Circuit Court sentencings include armed robbery, assault, accosting children.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 51st Circuit Court: – Mark Anthony Miller, 42, of St. Louis Correctional Facility, 8585 N. Croswell, St. Louis, Mich., was found guilty Oct. 30 of armed robbery (Branch Grocery) and fourth-offense habitual offender. He was sentenced Jan. 5 to 15 years to life in prison with credit for 383 days served in jail; $362 in restitution; and $258 in fines and costs. Sentence to run concurrently to Muskegon County offenses. Three counts of felony firearms and two counts of assault with a weapon were dismissed. – Tyrone Gardner, 53, of 103 Reinberg Ave., Scottville, was found guilty Nov. 4 of attempted assault with a weapon and fourth-offense habitual offender. He was sentenced Jan. 5 to one year in jail with credit for 84 days served; two years probation; and $658 in fines and costs. Restitution is reserved. One count of assault with a weapon; one count of possession of firearms/weapons; and one count of felony firearms were dismissed. – James Philbrick Gigante, 49, of 6116 N. Quarterline Rd., Victory Township, was found guilty Oct. 13 of accosting children for immoral purposes and possession of child sexually-abusive […]
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79th District Court arraignments home invasion, accosting children.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Brayden Paul Chavalia, 21, of 407 S. Main St., Scottville, was arrested Jan. 2 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for felonies of first-degree home invasion and two counts of resisting/opposing police. Probable cause hearing: Jan. 20 at 1:15 p.m. Bail: $10,000/cash/surety/10 percent cash. – Samuel Raymond Hogan, 48, of 303 N. 2nd St., Brighton, was arrested Jan. 6 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office for a felony of accosting children for immoral purposes and second-offense habitual offender. Probable cause hearing: Jan. 20 at 1:15 p.m. Bail: $10,000/personal. – Tyler Joel Griffin, 24, of 308 1/2 Court St., Ludington, was arrested Jan. 8 by the State, Sheriffs’, Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) for a felony of possession of narcotic or cocaine less than 25 grams. Probable cause hearing: Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. Bail: $7,500/10 percent. – Hobart Nathaniel Bickel, 35, of 415 Church St., Hart, was arrested Jan. 9 by the Hart post of the Michigan State Police (MSP) for a felony of possession of narcotic or cocaine less than 25 grams. Probable cause hearing: […]
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79th District Court sentencings.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – James Ray Wabsis, 46, of 2239 E. Marrison Rd., Custer, was found guilty Jan. 11 of driving while license suspended (DWLS) and operating with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over .17. He was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; $1,900 in fines and costs; outpatient counseling; one year discretionary jail for two years for count 1; six months discretionary jail for two years for count 2; must attend AA twice a week for two years; no alcohol/drugs; and subject to random preliminary breath tests (BPTs). Conviction reportable to the Secretary of State (SOS). One count of third-offense operating under the influence of liquor (OUIL) dismissed. – Shawn Thomas Bidwell, 24, of 143 N. Jebavy Dr., Apt. 17, Ludington, was found guilty Jan. 11 of driving while license not valid and sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day served; 90 days discretionary jail for one year; and $225 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to SOS. – Bryan Scott Fenner, 24, of 5114 N. Cleveland St., Fountain, was found guilty Jan. 11 of disorderly […]
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Man pleads guilty to attempted home invasion, burglar tool possession.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 42-year-old Amber Township man pleaded guilty in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 19, to possession of burglar tools and attempted first-degree home invasion. Jeffery Thomas Nitz, of 3786 W. Forest Hill Circle, testified that last November he used a drywall scraper to pry open a door in the 3700 block of Forest Hill Circle. Nitz told Judge Susan K. Sniegowski he was “attempting to feed my drug addiction” as he was trying to steal prescription pills. A resident was in the home at the time of the break-in, according to Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola, but Nitz testified that he didn’t see the resident. In exchange for his plea, Nitz is looking at serving seven months of a one-year discretionary sentence, and his second-offense habitual offender designation was dismissed. Sentencing is set for March 15 at 1:15 p.m.
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Man pleads guilty to embezzlement from vulnerable adult.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 53-year-old Riverton Township man pleaded guilty in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 19, to embezzlement from a vulnerable adult and stealing/retaining a financial transaction device without consent. In exchange for Dean Alan Drake’s guilty pleas to the two counts, two other counts of stealing/retaining a financial transaction device without consent were dismissed. The plea agreement calls for Drake serving four months up front of a one-year discretionary jail sentence. Drake testified that the victim has multiple sclerosis, and he helped care for her occasionally. A co-defendant in the case also helped care for her, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. The crimes occurred in May through July of 2015, Spaniola said. Restitution in the case is yet to be determined, according to Spaniola. Drake testified that the the victim gave him her personal identification (PIN) for her automated teller machine (ATM) card, and he took out more money out of her bank account than she authorized. He said the amount was more than $1,000. Sentencing is scheduled for March 15 at 3 p.m.
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79th District Court arraignments include stalking, writing bad checks.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Eric Zelek Hoggs, 40, no address listed, was arrested Jan. 13 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for felonies of aggravated stalking and using a computer to commit a crime. Probable cause hearing: Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. Bail: $25,000/cash/surety. – Nicholas James Piehl, 21, of 810 N. James St., Ludington, was arrested Jan. 15 by the Ludington Police Department for a felony of non-sufficient-fund check over $500. Probable cause hearing: Jan. 27 at 1:15 p.m. Bail: $7,500, cash/surety/10 percent cash. Misdemeanors – Gabriel Elizabeth Maile, 25, of 503 S. Staffon St., Ludington; Jan. 13; Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO); embezzlement – agent or trustee and third-degree retail fraud. Pretrial: Feb. 22 at 9:45 a.m. Bail: $2,500/personal. – Dylan Thomas Sorenson, 20, of 207 Gibson Rd., Branch Township; Jan. 9; Michigan State Police, Hart post (MSP); failure to maintain security. Pretrial: Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. Bail: $1,500/personal. – Latresha Rae Palethorpe, 47, of 3811 N. US 31, Victory Township; Jan. 14; MSP; failure to maintain security. Pretrial: Feb. 8 at 3:15 p.m. Bail: $1,500/personal. – Paige Renee […]
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79th District Court sentencings and dismissals.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Thomas Tommy-Teague Noa, 31, of 1218 S. Madison Ave., Ludington, was found guilty Jan. 12 of two counts of attempted assaulting/resisting/obstructing police. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail; one year discretionary jail for two years; must have Soberlink installed upon release from jail; $1,245 in fines and costs; must attend AA three times a week for two years; must have a substance abuse evaluation and follow recommendations; no alcohol/drugs; and subject to random preliminary breath tests (PBTs). One count of trespassing was dismissed. – Jade Lucile Oquist, 19, of 118 E. Danaher St., Ludington, was found guilty Jan. 12 of use of marijuana and sentenced to 43 days in jail with credit for 43 days served; driver’s license suspended 180 days/restricted after 30 days; 90 days discretionary jail for one year; and $225 in fines and costs. In a separate file, Oquist was found guilty Jan. 12 of third-degree retail fraud and sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; $665 in fines and costs; and must seek and maintain […]
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Meth possession yields jail sentence.
LUDINGTON — An 18-year-old Fremont man was sentenced in 51st Circuit Court, Jan. 12, to serve seven months up front of a one-year discretionary jail sentence for a conviction of methamphetamine possession. Jordan Jacob Stein, of 222 E. Elm St., was found guilty, Oct. 14. Stein was also sentenced to two years probation; driver’s license suspended 60 days/restricted after 30 days; and $658 in fines and costs. He received credit for 117 days served in jail. – By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.
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White Cloud man criminally charged for not disclosing he has AIDS to sex partner.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A White Cloud man faces up to four years in prison for allegedly not disclosing to his sexual partner that he has the deadly disease, AIDS. Gerald Anthony Penn, 44, of 777 Cole Creek Lane, was arrested Jan. 16 by the Ludington Police Department for a felony count of AIDS – sexual penetration with an uninformed partner and a second count of aggravated domestic violence, according to his court file in 79th District Court. Penn is scheduled to appear in court for a probable cause hearing next Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m. and a preliminary exam, Feb. 10, at 11:15 a.m. His bail was set at $10,000/10 percent.
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79th District Court sentencings include assault, domestic violence, trapping out of season.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Ariel Samantha Courtland, 24, of 922 E. Tinkham Ave., Ludington, was found guilty Jan. 22 of assault and battery. She was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; and $795 in fines and costs or 80 hours of community service within six months. – Adam Robert Madsen, 32, of 352 S. Gibson Rd., Branch Township, was found guilty Jan. 19 of second-offense domestic violence. He was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; anger management counseling; $775 in fines and costs; one year discretionary jail for two years; and no contact with the victim. – Thomas John Maue, 72, of 1635 E. Free Soil Rd., Free Soil Township., was found guilty Jan. 21 of trapping a bobcat out of season and sentenced to $485 in fines and costs. – Rachel Lynn Ziolkowski, 25, of 6926 W. 8 Mile Rd., Irons, was found guilty Jan. 19 of third-degree retail fraud (shoplifting). She was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 93 days […]
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79th District Court arraignments include felony firearms, drug possession, embezzlement.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Richard David Kaczmarek, 40, of 2558 Maple Rd., Manistee, was arrested Jan. 21 by the DNR, Cadillac Field Office, for a felony possession of firearms by a felon and second-offense habitual offender. Preliminary exam: Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. Bail: $7,500/personal. – Isaac James Finley, 30, of 109 E. Foster St., Ludington, was arrested Jan. 23 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for a felony of possession of a narcotic or cocaine less than 25 grams; a misdemeanor of possession of marijuana; and fourth-offense habitual offender. Preliminary exam: Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. Bail: $15,000/10 percent. – Gary Martin Ventrice, Jr., 34, of 4899 N. Ford Lake Rd., Sheridan Township, was arrested Jan. 21 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a felony of possession of a narcotic or cocaine less than 25 grams and a misdemeanor of possession of marijuana. Preliminary exam: Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. Bail: $10,000/10 percent. – Patrick Kendall Rogers, 45, of 207 Summit St., Muir, Michigan, was arrested Jan. 21 by the DNR, Cadillac Field Office, for a felony possession of […]
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