79th District Court news, posted Oct. 1, 2021. 

79^th District Court news, posted Oct. 1, 2021. 

By Alan Neushwander. Contributing Writer.

LUDINGTON — The following criminal proceedings took place in Mason County’s 79^th District Court:

Felony Arraignments

Miller

-Gregory Allen Miller, 58, of 702 S. Dryden St., Hart, was arrested Sept. 28 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) on felony charges of first-degree home invasion and assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. Probable cause hearing: Oct. 13 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $25,000 cash.

Boger

-Joshua Michael Boger, 43, of 505 S. Main St., Scottville, was arrested Sept. 29 by MCSO on felony charges of third offense operating a vehicle while under the influence of liquor and second offense habitual offender. Probable cause hearing: Oct. 13 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $25,000 cash.

Johnson

-Kayla Jean Johnson, 29, of 494 Pere Marquette Highway, Ludington, was arrested Sept. 24 by Michigan State Police on felony charges of larceny from a motor vehicle and second offense habitual offender. Probable cause hearing: Oct. 13 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $10,000 cash.

Welch

-Penny Rae Welch, 44, of 11816 S. Morton Rd., Manistee, was arrested Sept. 22 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) on felony charges of false pretenses between $1,000 to $20,000 and habitual offender fourth offense. Probable cause hearing: Oct. 6 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $500 cash.

Bassett-Lynch

-Joshua Mark Bassett-Lynch, 30, of 109 E. Foster St., Ludington, was arrested Sept. 22 by SSCENT on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine/ecstasy) and second offense habitual offender. Probable cause hearing: Oct. 6 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $500 cash.

-Paulenea Tiffanie Hornacek, 29, of 2474 N. 21^st St., Sheridan Township, was arrested Sept. 24 by MCSO on a felony charge of perjury inciting or procuring court proceeding. Probable cause hearing: Oct. 13 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $500 personal recognizance.

-Denise Cruz, 27, of 3155 S. Stiles Rd., Riverton Township, was arrested July 30 by Michigan State Police on a felony charge of delivery/manufacturing a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Probable cause hearing: Oct. 13 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $500 cash.

Johnson

-Cassandra Mae Lynda Johnson, 25, of PO Box 674, Baldwin, was arrested Sept. 24 by MCSO on a felony charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. Probable cause hearing: Oct. 13 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $250 cash.

Misdemeanor Arraignments

-Darrin Maurice Morgan, 52, of PO Box 215, Ludington; Sept. 22; Ludington Police Department (LPD); disorderly person jostling. Pretrial: Oct. 11 at 2:15 p.m. Bail: $500 personal recognizance.

Sentencings

-Paul Edward Hayes, 39, of 7615 W. 96^th Place, Crown Point, Indiana, pleaded guilty Sept. 21 to assault and battery and disorderly drunk person. He was sentenced to 93 days discretionary jail for one year; no drugs/alcohol; subject to random breath tests; no contact with the victim; and $645 in fines/costs. A charge of fourth-degree child abuse was dismissed.

-Joanus Jacob Race, 21, of 3255 N. Lakeshore Dr., Hamlin Township, was found guilty of domestic violence during a bench trial on Aug. 20 and was sentenced to 13 days in jail with credit for one day served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year and $595 in fines/costs.

-Shane Thomas Wardlow, 39, of 717 N. Washington Ave., Ludington, pleaded guilty Sept. 21 to aggravated assault and was sentenced to six days in jail with credit for six days served; one year discretionary jail for one year; must continue current counseling program; no contact with the victim; and $285 in fines/costs. A felony charge of assault with a dangerous weapon was dismissed.

-Donald Eugene Seaborn, 48, of 17778 165^th Ave., Big Rapids, pleaded no contest Sept. 21 to illegal deer tag/license and was sentenced to pay $2,375 in fines/costs and had his hunting license removed through January 1, 2025. Two counts of illegally taking a deer were dismissed.

-Eileen Ravens, 23, of 304 S. Main St., Apt. 2W, Mt. Pleasant, pleaded guilty Sept. 28 to operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) and was sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; no drugs/alcohol; subject to random PBTs; must attend the Prime for Life program; must complete alcohol highway safety education; must attend victim’s impact panel and $870 in fines/costs. Conviction is reportable to Secretary of State. Charges of refusing a preliminary breath test and having an open intoxicant in a motor vehicle were dismissed.

-Daniel Thys Malburg, 37, of 601 N. Rowe St., Apt. 2, Ludington, pleaded guilty Sept. 28 to second offense domestic violence and was sentenced to 27 days in jail with credit for 27 days served; one year discretionary jail for one year; no contact with the victim; must have a mental health evaluation; and $595 in fines/costs. An additional count of domestic violence was dismissed.

-Timothy Charles Zeller, 38, of 610 E. Danaher St., Apt. 1, Ludington, pleaded guilty Sept. 21 to driving while license suspended (DWLS) and was sentenced to 93 days discretionary jail for one year and $285 in fines/costs. Conviction is reportable to SOS.

-Bret Allen Whitsell, 59, of 110 E. Melendy St., Ludington, pleaded guilty Sept. 28 to operating a vehicle while impaired by liquor (OWIL) and was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; no drugs/alcohol; subject to random breath tests; must complete substance abuse assessment; must complete alcohol highway safety education; must attend victim’s impact panel; and $895 in fines/costs. Conviction is reportable to SOS. A charge of transporting an open intoxicant in a motor vehicle was dismissed.

-Tammy Louise Tanis, 57, of 110 E. Melendy St., Ludington, pleaded guilty Sept. 28 to third degree retail fraud and was sentenced to five days in jail with credit for five days served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; no drugs/alcohol; subject to random breath tests; must complete substance use disorder treatment; and $302.95 in fines/costs/restitution. An additional count of third degree retail fraud was dismissed.

-Jeremy Edward Iteen, 44, of 910 N. Emily St., Apt. A1, Ludington, pleaded guilty Sept. 28 to operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) and was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; no drugs/alcohol; subject to random breath tests; must complete alcohol highway safety education; must attend victim’s impact panel; and $870 in fines/costs. Conviction is reportable to SOS. 

-Bryan Lee Yoder, 52, of 2151 County Road 1300E, Lovington, Illinois, pleaded guilty Sept. 21 to OWI and was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; no drugs/alcohol; subject to random breath tests; must complete substance abuse counseling and DUI Risk Education; must attend victim’s impact panel; and $1,095 in fines/costs. Conviction is reportable to SOS.

-Scott Gale VandeVelde, 51, of 803 S. Madison St., Ludington, pleaded guilty Sept. 28 to operating a vehicle with a high blood alcohol content and was sentenced to 32 days in jail with credit for two days served; 180 days discretionary jail for one year; no drugs/alcohol; subject to random breath tests; must attend victim’s impact panel; must complete substance use disorder treatment; must attend AA two times per week for one year; and $670 in fines/costs. Conviction is reportable to SOS. 

-Jason Allan Bonk, 45, of 8950 W. 169^th Place, Orland Hills, Illinois, pleaded guilty Sept. 28 to domestic violence and was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; no drugs/alcohol; subject to random breath tests; no contact with the victim; must complete domestic violence class; and $595 in fines/costs. A charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm was dismissed.

Dismissals

-Anthony Nelson Cole, Jr., 50, of 206 S. Jackson Rd., Ludington, had a charge of obscene conduct dismissed on Sept. 27.

-Alyssa Marie Harvey, 19, of 902 N. Delia St., Ludington, had a charge of domestic violence dismissed on Sept. 27 after the victim and witnesses were unable to attend the trial. The victim requested charges be dismissed.

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