51st Circuit Court sentencings, posted April 23, 2024
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court:
– Christopher Lee Merriman, 44, was found guilty of probation violation and was sentenced April 16, 2024 to 46 months to 20 years in prison with credit for 649 days served in jail and $606 in fines and costs. Probation stems from a 2021 conviction of breaking and entering a building with intent and weapons/ammunition possession by a felon. Merriman is awaiting sentencing on another Mason County case set for April 30, 2024. In that case, he pleaded “no contest” to assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, domestic violence and/or knowlingly assaulting a pregnant individual and third-offense habitual offender, according to court records.
– Robert James Adair, Jr., (age not listed), pleaded guilty Feb. 20, 2024 to two counts of failure to pay child support and was sentenced April 16, 2024 to 147 days in jail with credit for 147 days served; three years probation; and $666 in fines and costs.
– Cynthia Ann Swiger, 50, pleaded guilty Feb. 20, 2024 to two counts of larceny in a building and larceny $1,000-$20,000 and was sentenced April 16, 2024 to 146 days in jail with credit for 146 days served; three years probation; and $394 in fines and costs.
– Cristina Viola Sotomayor, 43, pleaded guilty Feb. 13, 2024 to larceny in a building, conspiracy to commit larceny in a building and larceny $1,000-$20,000 and was sentenced April 16, 2024 to three days in jail with credit for three days served; three years probation; and $794 in fines and costs.
– Brent Ryan Wicklund, 42, was found guilty of probation violation and was sentenced April 16, 2024 to 90 days in jail with credit for 92 days served. Probation stems from a 2023 conviction of unlawful motor vehicle use, court records state.
– Heather Kennedy Bentley, 60, pleaded guilty Jan. 16, 2024 to forgery of license documents/plates and received a delayed sentence April 16, 2024 of one day in jail with credit for one day served; 11 months probation; and $658 in fines and costs. A delayed sentencing* hearing is set for Feb. 18, 2025.
– Annastasia Viola Kemper, 32, pleaded guilty Feb. 20. 2024 to carrying a concealed weapon and operating without a license and received a delayed sentence April 16, 2024 of one day in jail with credit for one day served; 11 months probation; and $583 in fines and costs. A delayed sentencing* hearing is set for Feb. 11, 2025.
*Delayed sentences typically result in the conviction being reduced to a misdemeanor as long as the defendant abides by the terms of the probation.
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