Courts

Arsonist sent to prison, ordered to pay nearly $820,000 in restitution 

January 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 53-year-old Ludington man was sentenced to 15-50 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $820,000 in restitution for convictions of second-degree arson, third-offense domestic violence and third-degree child abuse in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 20. Patrick Joseph Cybert pleaded guilty to the charges, Nov. 12, after setting fire…

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Man sentenced to prison for assaulting girlfriend, police

January 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old Scottville man was sentenced to concurrent prison terms in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 20, of six to 20 years and two to four years for convictions of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and assaulting/resisting/obstructing police. Brandon Keith Eaton pleaded guilty to the…

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Man sent to prison for third-offense domestic violence

January 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old man was sentenced to 20 months to 10 years in prison in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 20, for a conviction of third-offense domestic violence. Austin Grant Mareches pleaded guilty to the charge, Nov. 18. He received credit for 146 days served in jail. Mareches committed the crime Aug.…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Jan. 17, 2026

January 17, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced this week in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – David Alan Hawley, 70, pleaded guilty Nov. 4 to accosting children for immoral purposes and was sentenced Jan. 13 to two days in jail with credit for two days served; five years probation; and $658 in fines and costs. Charges of child sexually abusive activity…

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Man sent to prison for Walmart shoplifting scheme

January 14, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 45-year-old man was sentenced to two concurrent prison terms of 18 months to 30 years in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 13, for two felony convictions of first-degree retail fraud. John Alex Humphrey II received credit for 175 days served in jail. He was ordered to pay a total of…

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