Man avoids jail term for stalking ex, slashing tires.

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Zachary Austin

Man avoids jail term for stalking ex, slashing tires.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old Amber Township man was sentenced to probation for a felony conviction of aggravated stalking and a misdemeanor of malicious destruction of property in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Zachary Scott Austin, of 151 Wildwood Dr., pleaded guilty to the charges, Nov. 23. 

Austin received a delayed sentence that orders no contact with the female victim; GPS tethering; that he must not be within 1,000 feet of the woman’s home; attend anger management counseling; and two years probation, said Mason County Prosecutor Lauren Kreinbrink. If Austin abides by the 11-month delayed sentence, his felony conviction would be reduced to misdemeanor stalking.

Austin admitted that he engaged in “repeated or continuous harassment” of the victim from a time period of July 1 to Aug. 6, 2021 despite the victim having a restraining order against him. 

He also admitted to slashing all four tires of a 2005 Ford Expedition that was parked at the victim’s house in the City of Ludington. 

Defense attorney Ryan Glandville said Austin and the victim have four children together.

Austin was on probation for a domestic violence conviction, said Mason County Prosecutor Lauren Kreinbrink.

Glandville said his client has been employed for seven years with the same place and has no history of substance abuse. He has no prior felonies and one prior misdemeanor, he added.

Austin

“It was the worst day of his life,” said Glandville, adding that Austin is participating in mental health and anger management counseling. 

“I’m very sorry for what I did,” Austin said. “I want to move forward with my children and start a healthy family relationship with my kids.”

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 0-9 months, said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski, who gave Austin credit for one day served in jail.

“Be very aware of the example you’re setting for your four boys,” said Judge Sniegowski. “If you want your children to be successful, you need to lead by example. How you react to what other people do to you says a lot about your character. There are always going to be things that people do that we don’t like.”

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