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Mitchel Walkley with his attorney, Al Swanson, Jr.
Ludington man admits he sold stolen bike for drug money.
#MasonCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.
LUDINGTON — A 27-year-old Ludington man, who was on parole when he sold a stolen motorized bicycle last summer to get drug money, was sentenced to one year in jail in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 5, for receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle.
Mitchel Jarred Walkley, of 403 S. Jefferson St., pleaded guilty to the charge and second-offense habitual offender last September.
Walkley was initially charged with third-offense, which was dismissed as part of the plea deal. The deal called for a prison term of 15 months to seven and a half years, but he avoided prison Tuesday.
“Substance abuse plays a role in his criminal activity,” said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.
“Mr. Walkley does suffer from a significant drug addiction,” said his attorney, Al Swanson, Jr. “He understands he needs substance abuse treatment.”
“I ask that you be lenient,” Walkley said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. “I know that I’ve had some problems with drugs. I was selling a stolen bicycle, so I could get drugs and get high.”
Walkley told the judge that he has been taking substance abuse classes at the jail and is gaining benefits from the program. He said he has learned how to cope and that he has a good support system.
“I need to keep my mind active on positive things in my life,” he said.
Walkley, who qualified for Special Alternative Incarceration (SAI) or “boot camp” for his previous conviction, received zero days credit for his time in jail due to being on parole.
Once he is released from jail, the Michigan Department of Corrections will send him to a substance abuse program, Sniegowski said. If he’s unsuccessful, he will be sent back to prison.
He was previously convicted of operating/maintaining a meth lab and possession of meth or ecstasy, the judge said.
Story copyrighted © 2017 by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. All rights reserved. No portion of this story may be reproduced without expressed written consent. This includes publication and broadcasting.
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