Violent offender sent to prison for multiple convictions.

Bothwell

Violent offender sent to prison for multiple convictions.

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By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 45-year-old Mason County man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced to two to 15 years in prison in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 18, for felony convictions of third-offense domestic violence and assault with a dangerous weapon and misdemeanors of malicious destruction of a building and illegal entry in three separate criminal cases.

Daniel Lee Bothwell, whose most recent address is listed as 2474 21st St., Branch Township, pleaded guilty to the charges, Nov. 23, 2021. A felony charge of first-degree home invasion was dismissed.

He was facing up to 40 years in prison as a fourth-offense habitual offender.

Daniel Bothwell

The charges stem from three separate violent crimes. Bothwell testified that he assaulted his brother Oct. 6, 2020 in the 800 block of Loomis Street in the City of Ludington. He also admitted to assaulting his girlfriend March 2, 2021 in Sheridan Township. He admitted to a third assault of a male victim in which a shovel was used as the weapon.

Sentencing guidelines in the three cases are 14-58 months, 19-57 months and 19-57 months, said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski.

Judge Sniegowski sentenced Bothwell to concurrent terms of two to 15 years with credit for 214 days served in jail; two to 10 years with credit for 214 days served in jail; two to 10 years with credit for 216 days served in jail; 216 days in jail with credit for 216 days served; and 90 days in jail with credit for 90 days served.

Bothwell is now convicted of eight felonies, said Mason County Prosecutor Lauren Kreinbrink. He has 16 misdemeanor convictions. 

He has four inactive probation cases with the Michigan Department of Corrections. In 2004, Bothwell was sentenced to two years probation for a conviction of attempted first-degree home invasion in Oceana County, according to MDOC records. In 2012, he was sentenced to two years probation in Mason County for assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and assault with a dangerous weapon. In 2016, Bothwell was ordered to serve five years probation for a Mason County conviction of failure to pay child support. 

“It is time for another disposition for this defendant with the Michigan Department of Corrections,” said Prosecutor Kreinbrink. “He cannot conform his behavior to what society requires.”

“Mr. Bothwell is no stranger to this courtroom,” said defense attorney Tracie Dinehart. “Mr. Bothwell is a different person sitting here today than he has ever been. He wants to right his wrongs and stop the childish behavior and grow up.”

Dinehart said her client plans to avail himself of counseling services while in prison. 

“Most of my cases throughout my life have been violent offenses, and I have talked to a psychiatrist about it,” said Bothwell. “When I was 17, I had a traumatic experience losing someone close to me. The psychiatrist said it is PTSD. A lot of this wouldn’t have happened if I would have understood that earlier in life. 

“I’ve been in jail for five months. One thing I have learned is violence is not the answer. I wish I would have been able to react to things differently.”

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