CASSOPOLIS — Area residents were sentenced to prison, jail and probation in action Friday in Cass County Circuit Court before Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman.
Lee Roberts III, 34, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to four years to 10 years in prison. He has credit for 134 days served and must pay $1,548 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred Feb. 2, 2023 south of Dowagiac. He pleaded guilty that spring but absconded before he could be sentenced. Since then, he has been arrested on felony drug charges in Berrien and Van Buren Counties. He also had convictions in Indiana after this incident.
Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Roberts’ record was “not a pretty picture” as Fitz noted that Roberts has had convictions for not only drug possession but armed robbery and domestic violence.
“His record goes on and on and on,” Fitz said. “He’s probably a decent person when he’s not using drugs but he continues to use. He has prison guidelines for the upcoming Berrien County case and it makes sense for him to get prison here. Society needs to be protected from his dangerous behavior.”
Judge Herman said that he had had a lot of hope for Roberts when Roberts was first before him seven or eight years ago. He noted that Roberts was given the opportunity for a Swift & Sure probation but absconded shortly afterwards. “Look at your record after that, it’s disappointing to me, you had an opportunity to make changes,” he said.
“You have to decide whether you want incarceration or freedom, incarceration is the choice you’ve made the last several years,” the judge added.
Judge Herman’s sentence exceeded the advisory sentencing guidelines. He noted that the guidelines didn’t take into account Roberts’ actions subsequent to this incident and the fact that he absconded before he could be sentenced two years ago. He added that the guidelines also didn’t take into account Roberts’ “total unwillingness to comply with social norms.”
Another area resident was sentenced to probation, jail and registering as a sex offender.
Everett Richmond, 56, pleaded no contest to accosting children for immoral purposes and was sentenced to five years probation, 90 days in jail with credit for five days served, registering as a sex offender and $3,908 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred Sept. 10, 2024 when he asked a 12 year old girl to sent nude photos of herself to him.
Judge Herman noted that a search of Richmond’s cell phone and computer found questionable photos but nothing that could be construed as child sexually abusive materials.
The judge noted that if the girl had actually sent the photos to him, he would be facing major felonies including ones for possession of child sexually abusive materials.
“You’re 56 yrs old with three minor driving offenses,” Judge Herman said. “You have no work history, you do scrapping. I don’t know what you were thinking when you asked a 12 year old for naked pictures.”
In other sentencings, people were sentenced for fleeing police and for drug possession.
Brandy Miller, 40, of Elkhart, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to three years probation in the Adult Treatment Court, completion of the Twin County probation program, credit for 120 days served and $1,548 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred Jan. 17, 2023. She pled in February of that year but absconded before her sentencing.
“I will give you this opportunity but you’ve lost your chance to have your charge reduced to use of meth,” Judge Herman said. “Your guidelines are five to 23 months if you violate. You hold the keys.”
Scott Reed, 43, pleaded guilty to possession of meth and fleeing police and was sentenced to two concurrent prison terms of 19 months to 10 years. He has credit for 73 days served and must pay $2,116 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred Feb. 2, 2024. Police stopped him in Milton Township for improper plates but he then fled at high rates of speed into Berrien County before being stopped in Indiana. He is also facing a prison sentence in Indiana.
“It makes no sense to flee police, sooner or later you will be apprehended,” Judge Herman said. “It just makes the situation worse and if you kill somebody, you will go to prison for many, many, many years. You would be in a lot less trouble if you had just stopped for expired plates. That’s just food for thought.”
Shaquan Stanback, 24, of Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to fleeing police and carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to three years probation in mental health court, credit for 32 days served, $2,838 in fines and costs and $426.38 in restitution.
The incident occurred Sept. 28, 2024 when police tried to stop him in Pokagon Township. He fled at speeds of up to 114 miles per hour before crashing into two parked vehicles at M-62 and Spruce Street in Dowagiac.
“When you flee police, you just don’t get away,” Judge Herman said. “In this situation, you could have killed somebody. You are lucky to be alive and so are other people. Maybe this is a godsend to change the trajectory of your life.”
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