Ludington man sentenced to jail for stalking.

Eric Avery, left, with defense attorney Doug Stevenson.

Ludington man sentenced to jail for stalking.

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 40-year-old Ludington man was sentenced to serve four months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 23, for a conviction of aggravated stalking.

Eric Keith Avery, of 1218 S. Madison St., Apt. 5, pleaded guilty to the felony charge last November.

Avery was arrested last August by the Ludington Police Department on charges of aggravated stalking and malicious use of a telecommunications device. The telecommunications charge was dismissed in a plea agreement.

Avery previously admitted to Judge Susan K. Sniegowsk that he was served with a personal protection order last July, but continued to contact the victim multiple times nonetheless.

“My mind was totally clouded,” he said.

Avery admitted, when questioned by Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola, that he sent a text message to the victim with his “selfie” that showed him flipping his middle finger and telling her to “slit her wrists.”

Avery was also sentenced to five years probation, and could be placed on GPS monitoring for four months following release from jail if the probation department orders it.

“This particular matter has garnered a significant amount of attention in my office,” Spaniola said, citing Avery’s “inappropriate behavior.”

The prosecutor warned Avery that if his behavior returns, “we will not be so kind next time.”

“Mr. Avery has started to come to grips,” said Avery’s attorney, Douglas Stevenson. “I’ve seen an angry man become less angry.”

“I hope you really take (the victim’s comments) to heart, and I hope you realize the harm that you have caused because of your actions,” said Judge Sniegowski.

Avery received credit for 31 days served in jail.

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 0-17 months.

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