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By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — A 21-year-old Manistee man pleaded no contest in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 28, to assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.
Henton
Derrick Allen Henton stabbed Nathan Horacek of Mason County at a house party in the 500 block of Emily Street in Ludington last June. Horacek, who suffered stab wounds to his upper arm and rib cage, has since recovered from his injuries, said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand.
The plea arrangement calls for Henton serving a minimum of four years in prison. He is currently on parole, and his sentence in the pending parole violation case will be served consecutively.
“This sentence has to be consecutive to the parole sentence,” said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski.
Ludington police officers were dispatched to Corewell Health Ludington Hospital’s emergency room in the early morning hours of June 15, 2024 for a report of a 21-year-old man who had been stabbed several times, stated a press release from the Ludington Police Department. Horacek was transferred to Corewell – Grand Rapids for additional care.
“Through the course of the investigation, officers learned that there was a house party at a residence on the 500 block of North Emily Street, where (Henton) stabbed the victim three times, after having a verbal dispute with another subject at the party. After the assault, the suspect fled the area. LPD detectives were able to locate (Henton) in Manistee and convinced him to turn himself in.”
Henton is on parole for stabbing a Bear Lake man at a party on Washington Street in the City of Manistee, Aug. 31, 2021. He was sentenced in Manistee County’s 19th Circuit Court to serve 17 months to four years in prison for the stabbing, along with a concurrent sentence of 23 months to five years for carrying a weapon with unlawful intent. According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, he was released on Aug. 1, 2023 after serving about 17 months in prison.
Henton is lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $500,000 cash/surety bond.
Sentencing is set for April 29 at 1:50 p.m.
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