Courts

Man sentenced to 4-40 years in prison for assault convictions

April 30, 2024

LUDINGTON — A 44-year-old man was sentenced to prison in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 30, on three assault convictions. Christopher Lee Merriman, pleaded “no contest” March 19 to charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, domestic violence and/or knowingly assaulting a pregnant individual and assault with a dangerous weapon. He was…

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Woman pleads guilty to embezzlement

April 30, 2024

LUDINGTON — A 39-year-old woman pleaded guilty in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court to embezzlement $1,000 to $20,000 Tuesday, April 30. Nicole Diane Peterson admitted that she embezzled funds from the Airport EZ Mart in the fall of 2022. Sentencing is set for June 25. _____________________________ Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10…

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Man admits to writing bad check totaling nearly $6,600

April 30, 2024

LUDINGTON — A 45-year-old man pleaded guilty in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 30, to uttering and publishing and third-offense habitual offender. Thomas John Wagoner admitted that he fraudulently presented a check to West Shore Bank last July for $6,597. Uttering and publishing is punishable by up to 14 years in prison, and his habitual offender status elevates…

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Man faces prison for third-offense domestic violence 

April 30, 2024

LUDINGTON — A 35-year-old man faces a prison term of 14 months to 10 years after pleading guilty in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court to third-offense domestic violence and third-offense habitual offender Tuesday, April 30. Malcolm Andrew King committed the assault Oct. 4, 2022 in the City of Ludington, according to court records. Sentencing is scheduled for June 11.  …

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Man sentenced to jail, restitution for shoplifting at Meijer

April 30, 2024

LUDINGTON — A 30-year-old man was sentenced to one year in jail in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 30, for a conviction of two counts of first-degree retail fraud. Sergio Ramon Escamilla was ordered to pay $3,184.81 in restitution to Meijer and three years probation. Escamilla pleaded guilty, March 19. He shoplifted from the Meijer store in Amber…

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Mike Shaw