By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court:: - Timothy John Horrack, 36, of 1486 N US-31, Scottville, was found guilty Oct. 14 of operating while impaired by liquor. He was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; Alcohol Highway Safety Education (AHSE); $870 in fines and costs; 90 days discretionary jail for one year; and must attend the next session of the Victims Impact Panel (VIP). Conviction reportable to the Secretary of State (SOS). - Dean Alan Drake, 52, of 205 E. Melendy St., Ludington, pleaded no contest Oct. 15 to larceny $200 or more but less than $1,000. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for three days served; one year discretionary jail for two years; no contact with victim; may not serve as a caretaker for any individuals for two years; $1,079.44 in restitution; and $960 in fines and costs. One count of larceny in a building was dismissed. - Stanton Lyle Haner, 59, of 922 E. Tinkham Ave., Apt. 109, Ludington, was found guilty Oct. 14 of operating while impaired by liquor. He was sentenced to three days in jail […]
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79th District Court sentencings
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79th District Court arraignments.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies - Christian Jonathon Steiger, 21, of 75 N. Stiles Rd., Ludington, was arrested Oct. 12 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a felony of assault by strangulation, one count of domestic violence, and one count of malicious destruction of property over $200/under $1,000. A preliminary exam is set for Oct. 22 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $7,500/10 percent. - Georgia Rae Makowicki, 54, of 105 4th St., Apt. 1, Ludington, was arrested Oct. 13 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for a felony of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. A preliminary exam is set for Oct. 22 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $3,500/personal. - Ricardo Reyes, 50, of 5740 Barton Rd., Ludington, was arrested Oct. 3 by MCSO for a felony of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC). A preliminary exam was Oct. 13. Bail: $3,500/personal. - Fremont Kerricks, 31, of 701 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington, was arrested Oct. 9 by LPD for a felony of second-degree home invasion. A preliminary exam is set for Oct. 22 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $7,500/cash/surety. - Jarrett David Zacharda, 19, of 1968 E. Fountain […]
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51st Circuit Court sentencings include CSC, assaulting police officer.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced Tuesday, Oct. 14, in 51st Circuit Court by Judge Richard Cooper: - Nicholas Allan VanVleet, 32, of 602 E. Danaher St., Ludington, was found guilty Sept. 9 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) – under 13 and second-degree CSC – under 13. He was sentenced to a minimum of nine years and a maximum of 40 years in a Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) prison for Count I and a minimum of three years, six months to a maximum of 15 years in a MDOC prison for Count II. He was given credit for one day served in jail. Counts run concurrent, and he is subject to lifetime monitoring upon release from prison. He was ordered to pay $266 in fines and costs. HIV testing and sex offender registration is completed. Two counts of first-degree CSC – under 13 were dismissed. - Harold Jesse Brower, 53, of 502 N. Main St., Scottville, was found guilty Aug. 21 of unlawful possession, manufacture or transfer of an eavesdropping device. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail with credit for one day served; serve 60 days up front with balance to […]
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Probation violator sent to SAI program
LUDINGTON — Michael Thomas Martinez, 29, of 204 S. Harrison Rd., Ludington, was sent to a Special Alternative Incarceration SAI facility by 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard I. Cooper after being found guilty of probation violation Oct. 15. His probation stems from no-contest pleas to attempted assault with a weapon and domestic violence, March 12, 2013. He was also ordered to pay $598 in fines and costs. “Must successfully complete the SAI program followed by all aftercare, and continued domestic violence programming counts are concurrent,” court records state.
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79th District Court sentencings
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. - Donald Keith Martinez, 28, of 508 ½ E. Danaher St., Ludington, was found guilty Oct. 14 of controlled substance, possession of marijuana. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail with credit for nine days served; one year discretionary jail for two years; no alcohol/drugs; subject to random preliminary breath tests (PBTs) and drug tests; and $935 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to the Secretary of State (SOS). - Ivan Alvin Henry, 42, of 6225 S. Brye Rd., Ludington, was found guilty Oct. 20 of allowing a person to drive in violation and was sentenced to 90 days discretionary jail for one year and $335 in fines and costs. - Joseph David Smith, 32, of 26475 Chippendale St., Mich., was found guilty Oct. 20 of driving while license suspended (DWLS) and sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; and $285 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to SOS. - Tyler Coburn Hendrix, 21, of 765 Enos Rd., Seymour, Ind., was found guilty Oct. 16 of snagging a fish/taking a fish illegally and sentenced to $375 in fines and costs.
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Arraignments: Ludington man facing multiple felonies following drug arrest
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. - Gary Allen Jacobsen, 25, of 207 S. Washington Ave., Apt. 1, Ludington, faces multiple felony charges in 79th District Court following his Oct. 16 arrest by the State Sheriffs’ Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) for felonies of controlled substance, possession of analogues, and habitual offender, fourth offense. He was also arrested Oct. 16 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a felony of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. On Oct. 17, he was arrested by SSCENT for felonies of absconding/forfeiting bond and habitual offender, fourth offense. A preliminary exam is set for Oct. 29 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $25,000/cash/surety. Other recent 79th District Court arraignments include: Felonies - Valerie Kay Larr, 55, of 3464 N. Amver Rd., Scottville, was arrested Oct. 10 by MSP for a felony of embezzlement over $50,000/under $100,000. Related story here A preliminary exam was scheduled for Oct. 22. Bail: $10,000/personal. - Brooke A. Streeter, 22, of 610 N. Harrison St., Ludington, was arrested Oct. 16 by MCSO for a felony of harboring felons. A preliminary exam is set for Oct. 29 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $3,500/10 percent. - Randi Marie Granger, 28, of 4931 E. US-10, Walhalla, was […]
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Defense granted 21-day extension in Phillips murder charge appeal.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — An appeal by the state of Michigan in the murder case against Sean Michael Phillips will take place on Dec. 5, at 1:30 p.m., in 51st Circuit Court. A hearing was held this morning in front of Judge Richard Cooper to extend the defense’s brief in opposition to the state. Defense attorney David Glancy told Judge Cooper he has not had adequate time to prepare for the case because of his assignment load as the county’s court-appointed defense attorney. Donna Pendergast of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division, who is serving as the primary prosecutor, told Cooper that she just wanted to make sure there was a set date so she could plan her schedule accordingly, citing that she has a very busy November and December. Pendergast, along with Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola, are appealing Judge Peter Wadel’s 79th District Court ruling that Phillips could not be bound over on a charge of murder in the June 2011 disappearance of Katherine Phillips, also known as “Baby Kate.” Cooper granted Glancy a 21-day extension. “The court recognizes your arguments were made in good faith and the defense attorney certainly has a heavy load. This […]
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Subject who fled courthouse is caught.
BALDWIN –Deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office and Lake County Sheriff’s Office have caught the man who fled the Mason County Courthouse Wednesday afternoon, Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole reported. Cole said Dylan James Hansen was picked up around 5 p.m. this afternoon. On Wednesday, the Ludington Police Department was called to the Mason County Courthouse for a report that a subject had fled the courtroom after being sentenced. The subject, Dylan James Hansen of Martin, had appeared in court and was sentenced to 292 days in jail for violating his probation. Shortly after sentencing, and before law enforcement was called, Hansen fled from the courtroom, according to Ludington Police Chief Mark Barnett. Barnett said Hansen had been sentenced in 79th District Court for failing to pay fines/costs, and failing to comply with sentencing guidelines resulting from domestic violence charges. Officers from the Ludington Police Department, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, and the Michigan State Police responded to the court. Officers searched the area and were unable to locate the suspect.
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79th District Court sentencings.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: - Steven Allen Steiger, 30, of 143 N. Jebavy Dr., Apt. 9, Ludington, was found guilty Oct. 23 of over the limit – steelhead and sentenced to $280 in fines and costs. - Raymond Robert-Allen Phenix, 17, of 8916 225th Ave., Reed City, was found guilty Oct. 23 of attempting to snag – fishing devices/hooks and sentenced to $275 in fines and costs. - Christopher Todd Bower, 44, of 7160 E. US-10, Fountain, was found guilty Oct. 20 of allowing a person to drive in violation. He was sentenced to $335 in fines and costs and 90 days discretionary jail for one year. - Muehlenbec Traci Bergles, 43, of 501 E. Council Tr., Mount Prospect., Ill., was found guilty Oct. 20 of improper load or towing;spill; no cover and sentenced to $175 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to the Secretary of State (SOS). - Ryan Philip Baker, 29, of 2730 Granada Dr., Apt. 2A, Jackson, was found guilty Oct. 27 of open intoxicants in motor vehicle – passenger and sentenced to $265 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to SOS. - Brian Nicholas […]
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Man who threatened wedding guests with gun pleads guilty.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A 21-year-old Victory Township man appeared in 51st Circuit Court today where he pleaded guilty to threatening wedding guests with a gun and also assaulting a pregnant woman. Codie Lee Fink, 21, of 1783 N. U.S. 31, was originally charged with five counts including two counts of felonious assault, two counts of felony firearms and one count of assault and battery. Fink told the court that he had too much to drink at a wedding reception at Farmview Resort on Sept. 21. He said he became irritated about “something that happened to me.” He later testified that he had been dancing on the dance floor and fell into a pregnant wedding guest. The woman had told police that Fink actually shoved her, thus the assault and battery charge. Fink denied he deliberately shoved the woman. This appeared to be a point of contention with Judge Richard Cooper. However, the prosecution allowed the disagreement. Fink was taken home, a few miles away, but then returned with a .22 semi automatic long gun. He then returned to the wedding reception and pointed the gun at two male guests, in which he was charged with felonious assault […]
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Scottville woman pleads guilty to gas station robbery.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A 30-year-old Scottville woman appeared in 51st Circuit Court this afternoon where she pleaded guilty to robbing a Scottville gas station in June. Jaralee Chaloux Sobers, of 412 Thornwhild Dr., Apt. 2, pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery and accepted an offer by the prosecutor to serve one year in the Mason County Jail and to pay restitution of $707. Around 2 a.m. on June 17, Sobers walked from Thornwild Apartments to the Admiral Gas Station, at the corner of State St. and Reinberg Ave., and then demanded money from the clerk, telling him that she had people waiting outside who would harm him if he called police right away. Sobers said she was wearing a hoodie, sunglasses and gloves. The clerk gave her $707 from the register and the safe. She then left and walked back to her apartment, where she lived with her 1-year-old son. She said she gave some of the money to a neighbor and she kept the rest. Two days later, Sobers was arrested by Mason County Sheriff’s Office. Sobers has a long list of misdemeanors, including a retail fraud second degree offense which she committed while on bond from […]
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79th District Court sentencings.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: - Dustin Thomas RJ Schanals, 20, of 10925 E. Haskell Lake Rd., Marion, was found guilty Nov. 3 of operating ORV – fleeing and eluding. He was sentenced to three days in jail and $480 in fines and costs. One count of fourth-degree fleeing a police officer was dismissed. - Dale Frederick Rossman, Jr., 34, of 1077 Camelot Dr., N. Muskegon, was found guilty Nov. 3 of driving while license not valid/improper. He was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served and $225 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to the Secretary of State (SOS). - Matthew Joseph Stock, 23, of 918 E. Fulburn Rd., Scottville, was found guilty Nov. 4 of disorderly person – jostling. He was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; $630 in fines and costs; 90 days discretionary jail for one year; and must attend Anger Management Program with Work It Out. One count of domestic violence was dismissed. - Deandre Dequan Shepherd, 20, of 1521 Roosevelt, Baldwin, was found guilty Nov. 3 of driving while license not valid/improper. […]
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79th District Court arraignments.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: - Christine Marie Stafford, 51, of 2846 E. Madison Ave., Hart, was arrested Nov. 2 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a misdemeanor of second-degree retail fraud. A pretrial is set for Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. Bail: $5,000/10 percent. - Christopher Kenneth Hance, 43, of 1851 N. Wilson Lane, Ludington, was arrested Oct. 30 by MCSO for a misdemeanor of domestic violence. A pretrial is set for Nov. 10 at 3:30 p.m. Bail: $2,500/personal. - Lee Pizana, 37, of 126 Hancock St., Apt. ½, Manistee, was arrested Oct. 30 by the Hart of the Michigan State Police (MSP-H) for a misdemeanor of failure to maintain security. A pretrial is set for Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. Bail: $1,500/personal. - Cameron Wayne Isom, 25, of 1760 Independence Lane, Scottville, was arrested July 18 by MSP-H for a misdemeanor of third-degree retail fraud. A pretrial is set for Nov. 10 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $1,500/personal.
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Scottville man charged on 3 counts of CSC.
RIVERTON TWP. — On Friday, Nov. 7, deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office and officers from Scottville Police Dept. arrested Javier Guzman-Bererra, 41, in the 3900 block of West Chauvez Rd. Guzman-Bererra was wanted on an outstanding warrant for criminal sexual conduct second degree. He was arraigned over the weekend in 79th District Court on three counts of CSC second degree involving incidents alleged to have occurred in the City of Scottville approximately seven years ago. He has been lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $35,000 bond. The charge of CSC third degree alleges a person engaged in sexual penetration with another person under any of these circumstances: the other person was at least age 13 but under 16; force or coercion was used to accomplish the sexual penetration; the defendant had reason to know the victim was mentally incapable, mentally incapacitated or physically helpless; the victim was related to the defendant by blood or affinity to the third degree; the victim was a person at least 16-years-old but less than 18 and a student at a public school or nonpublic school and the defendant is an authority figure. CSC third degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for […]
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Man pleads guilty to larceny of church.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A 17-year-old Ludington man pleaded guilty to larceny of a church today in 51st Circuit Court. Marek Juergen Witkowski, of 633 Brigham, Plainwell, was arrested Sept. 26 by Ludington Police Dept. for the felonies of safe breaking and larceny. Safe breaking is punishable by a maximum of life in prison while larceny of a building is punishable by up to four years in prison. Witkowski told the court he was cleaning Greater Life Church, 208 S. James St., when he decided to break into the safe. He said he knew where the key to the safe was kept and he took about $500. He then deposited the money into his bank account and spent it. Witkowski was offered a plea agreement by Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola to one year of jail, spending the first 90 days up front and the remainder at the court’s discretion, and paying restitution to the church for $1,230.91. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 16 at 2 p.m.
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Two plead to drug possession charges.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Two men pleaded guilty on drug possession charges this afternoon in 51st Circuit Court. Austin Martin Billings, of 212 E. Melendy St., Apt. 3, was initially charged with two felony drug charges following a Sept. 19, 2014 arrest by Ludington Police Dept. Bryan Patrick Lund, 28, of 195 Monroe St., Apt. A, Manistee, was also arrested that evening and charged with two counts possession of non-narcotic with intent to deliver Billings told the court he was driving east on the one-way Danaher Street about 11:30 p.m. when a vehicle came toward him in the opposite direction. The vehicle was a Ludington police officer. The police officer told Billings that there had been a complaint about someone throwing rocks in the vicinity Emanuel Lutheran Church. Billings said his companion had confessed that he had been throwing stones at a dog near the church. “He asked if he could search us,” Billings said. “I was on probation and didn’t give him any problems. He reached in my pocket and found a syringe and silver cylinder. He asked me what it was then put me in the back of the car.” Billings said he was carrying morphine […]
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Ludington man pleads to B&E, drug charges, faces 6 to 30 years.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. A Ludington man who broke into three Amber Township businesses and sold drugs out of his driveway, pleaded guilty to several felony counts in 51st Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon and faces 6 to 30 years in prison. Raymond Allen Anthony, 37, of 202 W. Fitch St., Ludington, was initially charged with five counts of breaking and entering, a count of safe breaking, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, marijuana, a count of absconding and forfeiting bonds and habitual offender third offense. The breaking and entering charges included one count of breaking and entering into Alway’s Antique Mall/Alway’s Service Center at 2144 W. Johnson Road, Amber Township, five counts of breaking and entering at Marek’s Auto Parts, 3473 W. U.S. 10-31, Amber Township, a count of attempted safe breaking at Marek’s. Each of the B&E charges are punishable by up to 10 years in prison while the attempted safe breaking charge is punishable by up to five years in prison. However, because Anthony is a repeat offender, the maximums are doubled. The B&Es on two dates in October 2013. Anthony also was charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, marijuana — each […]
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Free Soil man pleads no contest to CSC with 13-year-old girl.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A 22-year-old Free Soil man pleaded no contest in 51st Circuit Court today for having sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl. Joseph Michael Cook, of 8010 N. Custer Rd., was arrested Aug. 20 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office and charge with three counts of criminal sexual conduct third degree, each crime punishable by 15 years in prison. There are various stipulations to charge a person with CSC third degree, but in this case it was because the victim was at least 13-years-old and under 16-years-old. Pleading no contest means the defendant admits no guilt for the crime but the court can determine the punishment. Cook accepted a sentencing agreement with Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola for the two charges of third degree be dropped in exchange for one count of CSC second degree. CSC second degree also involves various stipulations but in this case is also because the victim was between 13 and 16, however CSC second degree only alleges sexual contact rather than penetration. CSC second degree is punishable by up to five years confinement, however, Cook was offered a sentence of one year in the Mason County Jail, serving no more […]
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79th District Court Arraignments.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies - Benjamin Michael Bentz, 33, of 202 Fourth St., Ludington, was arrested Nov. 7 by the Ludington Police Department (LPF) on four felony counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) – victim under 13/defendant 17 or over. A preliminary exam is set for Nov. 19 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $75,000/cash. - Javier Guzman-Barrera, 41, of 4948 S. Pere Marquette Highway, Ludington, was arrested Nov. 8 by the Scottville Police Department (SPD) on three felony counts of second-degree CSC. A preliminary exam is set for Nov. 19 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $35,000/10 percent. - Kimberly Rae Currier, 38, of 409 Second St., Ludington, was arrested Nov. 8 by LPD for a felony of first-degree retail fraud. A preliminary exam is set for Nov. 19 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $3,500/10 percent. - Nicholas James Piehl, 20, of 303 W. Pere Marquette Highway, was arrested Nov. 9 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a felony of second-offense possession of marijuana. A preliminary exam is set for Nov. 19 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $3,500/10 percent. - Jeffrey Ruric Cobb, 51, of […]
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Judge recommends boot camp for probation violation
LUDINGTON — Angela Beth Tanner, 35, of 5982 Riverview, Ludington, was sentenced Nov. 5 in 51st Circuit Court for probation violation to one year and six months in a Michigan Department of Corrections prison, with credit for one year served in jail, with a recommendation from Judge Richard Cooper that she serve her time in a Special Alternative Incarceration SAI “boot camp” program. Tanner’s probation stems from a June 2013 conviction of third-offense operating under the influence of liquor. She was also ordered to pay a balance of $858 in fines and costs.
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