Woman sentenced for spitting on officer while infected with COVID-19.

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Woman sentenced for spitting on officer while infected with COVID-19.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 33-year-old Norton Shores woman was sentenced in 51st Circuit Court Monday, July 26, to time served in jail for spitting on a Mason County sheriff’s deputy when she was infected with COVID-19.

Beth Lynn Buell, pleaded “no contest” last June to two felony counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police.

“She spat on an officer knowing she was COVID positive,” said Mason County Assistant Prosecutor Beth Hand.

“She had a psych issue that day and didn’t have sedatives,” said her attorney Ashley Siegel. “The lesson she learned was to take her meds.”

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 0-17 months. Judge Susan K. Sniegowksi sentenced Buell to 111 days in jail with credit for 111 days served. She was also ordered to 18 months probation.

According to her court file, the date of the offense was Dec. 14, 2020. The deputy did not become infected, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.

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