51st Circuit Court, as of Sept. 18, 2013

By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent

LUDINGTON – The following defendants were sentenced this past week in 51st Circuit Court:

– Valerie Catherine VanHeyningen, 49, of 3465 E. Smith Rd., Medina, Ohio, was found guilty July 18 of embezzlement – more than $1,000 and less than $20,000 and habitual offender, fourth conviction. She was sentenced Sept. 17 to one year in jail with credit for 132 days served; serve 10 months up front with balance to be served at the court’s discretion; if balance is paid in full by Oct. 7, up front time would be reduced to six months; fines, costs and restitution totaling $4,087.53; and 24 months probation.

– Sonny Delgado Castro, 38, of 2740 Kistler Rd., Ludington, was pleaded no contest June 17 to third-offense domestic violence and was convicted by the court of habitual offender, fourth conviction. He was sentenced Sept. 17 to one year in jail with credit for 129 days served; serve five months up front (already served), balance to be served at the court’s discretion; no contact with victim; must attend Batterer’s Intervention; $598 in fines and costs; and 24 months probation.

– Joseph Michael Tyler, 27, of 1796 Patrick Henry, Scottville, was found guilty Aug. 13 of check no account and check, nonsufficient funds $50 or less. He was sentenced Sept. 17 to 180 days in jail with credit for 89 days served for Count I and 90 days in jail with credit for 89 days served for Count II (concurrent); serve three months up front (already served), with balance to be served at the court’s discretion; 24 months probation; and fines, costs and restitution totaling $1,617.09. Counts of check no account and check, nonsufficient funds $100-$500, were dismissed.

– Robert James Leonard, 45, of 5726 S. Appleton Rd., Scottville, was found guilty Aug. 6 of operating under the influence of liquor, third offense. He was sentenced Sept. 17 to 180 days in jail with credit for two days served; serve 90 days up front, balance to be served at the court’s discretion; after serving 60 days, may be released to an inpatient treatment center; must complete 60 days community service; may not operate a vehicle without an ignition interlock devise; 18 months probation; and $1,098 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to the Secretary of State (SOS).

– Timothy Wayne Gonyon, 53, of 773 Bacon Mill Rd., Beulah, was found guilty Aug. 13 of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer; driving while license suspended (DWLS), second offense/allowing a person to operate while license suspended; and controlled substance possession, 25 grams or less. He was sentenced Sept. 17 to concurrent sentences of 270 days in jail with credit for nine days served (two terms) and one term of 93 days in jail with credit for nine days served; serve six months up front with the balance to be served at the court’s discretion; if DAN is not completed, then 10 additional days will be added to sentence; 18 months probation; and $966 in fines and costs. Sanctions reportable to the Michigan State Police (MSP), driver’s license suspended 30 days, restricted 150 days. Conviction reportable to SOS.