Ludington man sent to jail for uttering, publishing.

James Biggin with his attorney, Chad Derouin.

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Ludington man sent to jail for uttering, publishing.

By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

LUDINGTON — James Phillip Biggin III, 30, of Ludington was sentenced in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Oct. 4, to serve 10 months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term for a conviction of uttering and publishing.

Biggin pleaded guilty Tuesday to a charge of second-degree retail fraud and received a one-year discretionary jail term, along with $381.08 restitution.

Judge Susan K. Sniegowski ordered that Biggin undergo substance abuse counseling and rehab if available.

“Stealing is ancillary to his drug problems,” said Mason County Assistant Prosecutor Glen Jackson III. Biggin has suffered from cocaine and heroin addiction, Jackson said.

Biggin, who is currently serving six months in the Muskegon County Jail for aggravated assault, will serve his Mason County jail term concurrently to the Muskegon County matter.

Biggin and co-defendant Jason L. Carr, 32, of Ludington, illegally used receipts at Walmart to get cash in order to buy drugs last December, Jackson said. “Obviously, something like this is reprehensible,” he said.

“My client is looking to get his life back on track,” said Biggin’s attorney Chad Derouin.

“I just want to apologize to everybody, including my family,” Biggin said.

“Your drug problem isn’t new,” Sniegowski said, noting that his criminal drug history dates back to 2007. “You’ve had years to get your drug problem under control.”

Biggin, who received 85 days jail credit, was also ordered to serve two years probation.