sentencings

Utah woman sentenced to 27 years prison for causing death of trooper

The widow of a Michigan State Police trooper killed by a drunken driver called her husband her confidante, her other half and her best friend during Tuesday’s sentencing of the woman responsible for his death.

Thomasina Shani Jones, 30, of Montezuma Creek, Utah, was sentenced by Ionia County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Kreeger to from 27 to 50 years for the second-degree murder of MSP Trooper Caleb Starr, which occurred when Jones crossed the center line traveling eastbound on Grand River Avenue near Nash Highway on July 10, 2020.

Saranac man sentenced to county year for probation violation

A Saranac man who went AWOL from an inpatient substance abuse treatment facility late last year was sentenced to a year in the Ionia County Jail.

Matthew James Reedy, 22, pleaded guilty to a probation violation on April 13 in Ionia County Circuit Court before Judge Suzanne Kreeger.

Man alleged to have passed out from heroin at Vestaburg Dollar General takes plea deal

A man who was allegedly found passed out from heroin while in a car parked at the Dollar General in Vestaburg waived his preliminary examination April 7 to take a plea deal.

Benjamin Jon Damhof, 30, of Cadillac is charged with delivery or manufacturing of heroin and possession of heroin — both charged as second offenses. His prelim previously got underway March 17 in Montcalm County District Court but was adjourned partway through for testimony to be obtained from “Uncle Paul” — a Michigan State Police trooper who was working to arrange a drugs for gun swap.

Lake Odessa pharmacist pleads guilty to delivery of controlled substances

A Lake Odessa pharmacist has pleaded guilty to two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and he will lose his pharmaceutical license when he is sentenced at a later date.

William Walker, 64, of Lake Odessa pleaded guilty April 1 to two counts of delivery of a controlled substance involving amphetamine (Adderall) and oxycodone (Norco), both possible seven-year felonies.

Ionia man gets prison for selling heroin to confidential informant

An Ionia man who sold drugs to a confidential informant was sentenced to prison on March 30 in Ionia County Circuit Court.

Andrew David Sherrick, 28, was sentenced to 15 months to the statutory maximum of 20 years, with credit for 250 days previously served, on one count of delivery of a controlled substance. He also must pay $1,138 in costs and fees.

2 Ionia prisoners used K2 before assaulting prison employees

Two inmates at an Ionia prison will serve more time for assaulting prison employees while using synthetic marijuana, also known as K2.

The assaults, and the use of K2, both occurred at the Ionia Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility, although the incidents were two months apart.

Webb flips off judge as he’s sentenced to prison for assaulting corrections officer

A former Lowell man who assaulted a corrections officer by spitting on her was sentenced to prison on April 2 after he turned off the video camera twice and flipped off the judge.

Cameron Webb, 25, now of Owosso, was sentenced in Ionia County Circuit Court to three years and seven months to 10 years, with credit for 506 days previously served, with the Michigan Department of Corrections. He also must pay $898 in costs and fees. He was sentenced as a habitual offender with a third offense notice, which enhanced his sentence.

Ionia man admits to stealing car, tossing tether

An Ionia man entered guilty pleas to two charges after the judge in his case refused to recuse himself.

Kourie Michael Town-Leary, 28, appeared before Ionia County Circuit Court Judge Ronald Schafer for arraignment on March 23 via Polycom from the Ionia County Jail.

Heroin prelim adjourned so court can hear testimony from police officer ‘Uncle Paul’

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A man who was allegedly found passed out from heroin while in a car parked at the Dollar General in Vestaburg saw his preliminary examination adjourned last week for testimony to be obtained from “Uncle Paul” — a Michigan State Police trooper who was working to arrange a drugs for gun swap.

Benjamin Jon Damhof, 30, of Cadillac is charged with delivery or manufacturing of heroin and possession of heroin — both charged as second offenses.

Ionia judge denies Ionia man’s motions for new trial, reduced sentence

An Ionia man convicted of child abuse will not get a new trial or have his sentence reduced after a judge denied his motions for both.

Brandon Jerome Fogarty, 35, appeared from the Ionia County Jail via Polycom before Ionia County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Kreeger on March 16. His appeals attorney, Erin Van Campen, appeared by Zoom.