Man found guilty of stalking probation officer

Lance Eichler appears in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court during a recent hearing.

Man found guilty of stalking probation officer

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor

LUDINGTON — A 49-year-old man was found guilty of aggravated stalking and using a computer to commit a crime following a bench trial last week in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court.

Lance Craig Eichler, who stalked a female probation agent, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, according to court records. Judge Susan K. Sniegowski rendered the verdict following a one-day trial, Feb. 14.

Eichler is currently lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $10,000 cash/surety bond.

Eichler was prosecuted as a habitual offender. He was sentenced one year ago in Mason County for a conviction of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon to one year in jail with credit for 231 days served and 18 months probation.

According to Michigan Department of Corrections records, Eichler was convicted of stalking and using computers to commit a crime in Berrien County in 2019 and was ordered to three years probation. In 2008, he was convicted of assault and battery and breaking and entering/illegal entry in Kent County, receiving a one year and three month probation term. 

Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Kreinbrink said there are also misdemeanor stalking convictions on his criminal record.

“Hundreds of communications” from Eichler resulted in the probation officer pressing charges, said the prosecutor. 

Sentencing is set for April 9 at 1:10 p.m.

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