Long-time criminal sentenced for repeatedly hitting child with pole.

David Wilson

Long-time criminal sentenced for repeatedly hitting child with pole.

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 47-year-old Muskegon man who repeatedly hit a child with a pole was sentenced in 51st Circuit Court Monday, Aug. 26, to one year in jail, followed by treatment in a 13-week residential program.

David Ramone Wilson, of 519 McLaughlin Ave., pleaded guilty to third-degree child abuse and third-offense habitual offender.

“It was never my intention to hurt a child,” Wilson said to Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. “I am truly, truly sorry. The child was acting up and I disciplined him. I am truly sorry for any kind of pain or suffering or anything that I caused to that child. I didn’t mean to do it.”

The child’s mother indicates that the child was in counseling for anger issues caused by the abuse he suffered, said Mason County Assistant Prosecutor Lauren Kreinbink.

“One word that stood out to me was ‘abhorrent’ to describe the abuse,” said Kreinbink regarding the pre-sentence investigation report written by the probation officer.

“I have not had many cases impact me emotionally, physically and mentally like this case has,” she said.

The incident occurred in August of 2018, said Kreinbink.

“‘Abhorrent’ is the probation’s agent’s own description and his own opinion,” said Wilson’s attorney Tracie Dinehart. “There are always two sides to a story.”

“He wants to be a productive member of society,” Dinehart said. Wilson will participate in counseling for domestic violence while in the residential program, she said. “He says he doesn’t want to be here again.”

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 7-34 months.

“Looking at the circumstance of this case, I agree with the probation officer,” said Judge Sniegowski.

“There is a line between abuse and discipline, and the line was crossed,” she said. “A child was injured because of that.”

The judge described the Tri-County Community Adjudication Program where Wilson will be sent as an “intensive program.”

Wilson was also sentenced to five years probation. He received credit for 362 days served in jail.

Wilson was originally charged with felonies of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, felonious assault, second-degree child abuse, and two counts of committing second-degree child abuse in the presence of minor children, a misdemeanor of domestic violence along with a fourth-offense habitual notice.

He has a long criminal history including 10 previous prison sentences involving cocaine, weapons, resisting arrest and receiving stolen property convictions, according to the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS).

Wilson is believed to be one of the top suppliers of methamphetamine and heroin to the Ludington area, according to a press release from SSCENT (State, Sheriffs’, Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team).
He was also facing felony drug charges of second-offense cocaine possession, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver heroin and possession with intent to deliver cocaine and a misdemeanor of marijuana possession. All of the drug charges were dismissed due to a backlog of getting the substances tested at the Michigan State Police crime lab, said Spaniola. When results finally come back, his drug charges will be re-issued.

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