51st Circuit Court sentencings as of April 16

Judge Richard Cooper

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.

LUDINGTON – The following were sentenced this past week in 51^st Circuit Court:

Eric Knysz

–       Eric John Knysz, 20, of 1844 10 Mile Rd., Luther, was found guilty by a jury, Feb. 25, of homicide/murder of a peace officer; felony firearms; carrying concealed weapons; and unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle. He was sentenced April 8 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for count 1; two years in prison with credit for 212 days served for count 2; and three years, 11 months to seven years, six months for counts 3 and 4; and $1,785.14 in fines, costs and restitution. Sentence to run consecutive to count 2 and concurrent to counts 3 and 4.

–       Jason Tyler Patterson, 30, of 5731 W. Limouze St., Ludington, was found guilty by a jury, Feb. 14, of controlled substance, second offense, delivery/manufacture of a methamphetamine; and controlled substance, second offense, maintaining a lab. Two additional counts of controlled substance, second offense, delivery/manufacture of a methamphetamine, were dismissed. He was sentenced April 15 to two concurrent terms of 10-40 years on prison, and the counts run consecutive to his current parole term. He was also ordered to pay $266 in fines and costs.

Joel Patterson

–       Joel Anthony Patterson, 27, of 104 Gay St., Scottville, was found guilty Jan. 7 of second-degree home invasion. He was sentenced April 15 to one year in jail with credit for 190 days served; five years probation; $41,690.44 in restitution; and $448 in fines and costs. One count of first-degree home invasion and one count of larceny $1,000-$20,000 were dismissed. In a separate file, he was found guilty of another count of second-degree home invasion and received the same sentence, which is to run concurrent to the first case. Restitution is joint and several with co-defendant.

Christopher Watson

–       Christopher Joseph Watson, 31, of 703 E. Dowland St. Ludington, was found guilty March 3 of second-degree home invasion and habitual offender, fourth conviction. One count of first-degree home invasion; one count of larceny $1,000-$20,000; and one count of allowing a person to operate with a suspended license were dismissed. He was sentenced to seven to 40 years in prison with credit for 190 days served in jail; $41,690.44 in restitution; and $198 in fines and costs. In a separate file, he was found guilty of second-degree home invasion and habitual offender, fourth conviction. One count of first-degree home invasion and one count of breaking and entering a building with intent were dismissed. He was sentenced to seven to 40 years in prison with credit for 190 days served in jail; and $198 in fines and costs. In a third file, he was found guilty of second-degree home invasion and sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison with credit for 190 days served in jail. All three sentences run concurrent and restitution is joint and several with co-defendant.

–       Jordan Lee Hasty-Ruschkewicz, 24, of 3670 W. Polk Rd., Hart, was found guilty Feb. 15 of probation violation and habitual offender, third conviction and pleaded no contest to two counts of controlled substance, delivery less than 50 grams. He was sentenced April 9 to two terms of two to 40 years in prison with credit for 370 days served in jail and $626 in fines and costs. In a separate file, he was found guilty of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer; habitual offender, third conviction; and probation violation. He was sentenced to two to four years in prison and $498 in fines and costs. The two cases run concurrent.

Eric Klopp

–       Eric Michael Klopp, 34, of 1235 Sumac St., Muskegon, was found guilty Feb. 4 of operating under the influence of liquor (OUIL), third offense, and assaulting, resisting, obstructing a police officer. He was sentenced April 8 to one year in jail with credit for two days served; serve six months up front with balance to be served at the court’s discretion; after serving four months in jail, may attend inpatient substance abuse treatment for a minimum of 60 days; 360 hours of community service; $1,416 in fines, costs and restitution; and 18 months probation. Another count of assaulting, resisting, obstructing a police officer and operating while license suspended/allowing a person to operate were dismissed. Conviction reportable to the Secretary of State (SOS).