Hart man sentenced to 6 years prison for Riverton Twp. break-in.

Essex, left, with his attorney, David Glancy.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — A Hart man will spend the next 6 to 30 years in prison for larceny of a Riverton Township home. Daryl Eugene Essex, 32, of 5378 N. 88th Ave., Hart, was sentenced this afternoon in 51st Circuit Court.

He was originally charged with four counts from the February, 2014 crime including safe breaking (punishable by up to life in prison), home invasion first degree (20 years maximum), fire arms larceny (5 years max) and felony firearms (2 years max). He also is a repeat offender, which would elevate the home invasion incarceration to a maximum of 30 years.

While in court on Nov. 4, Essex said he broke into a home at 1713 Anthony Rd. in February. He and another person were driving around and noticed an unplowed driveway, he said, adding they took jewelry, some TVs and firearms.

Essex is currently serving a two year sentence at the Oaks Correctional Facility in Manistee County for home invasion and felony firearms convictions from Oceana County’s 27th Circuit Court (see related story here).

Essex agreed to a sentencing agreement with Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola to plead guilty to an additional charge of home invasion second degree, punishable by 6 to 15 years. The repeat offender status would double the maximum.

The sentence runs concurrent with the Oceana County sentence.

“A lot of my actions have been detrimental not only to my freedom but also to the community,” Essex told the court today. “I am getting up there in age and the game has to stop someway. Unfortunately, I have to learn the hard way. My actions spoke louder than words.”

Judge Richard Cooper told Essex that rehabilitation is possible and a worthy goal for him to achieve.