By NORMA LERNER
Dowagiac Daily News

CASSOPOLIS – A Stevensville man who fled police in Marcellus  because meth was in his car got 6-1/2 to 20 years for operating and maintaining a methamphetamine laboratory.
It is a second offense for 30-year-old Jeremy Timmons, 2162 Charles Drive, Stevensville, who was imposed the  prison sentence Friday morning in Cass County Circuit Court by Judge Michael Dodge.

It was March 31 while Timmons was driving his car on Burlington Road, Marcellus, and was spotted by police for having an illegally tinted driver’s window.

When police activated the lights and siren, Timmons fled and went into Van Buren County.
Other police joined in the pursuit and at times he went up to 65-miles-per hour in a 25- mph zone in Lawton.

“You admitted you should not have been driving. You had no valid (driver’s) license, and you were under the influence of meth,” Dodge recalled. He said there was evidence of meth- making found in the vehicle.

Dodge noted Timmons had six felonies and six misdemeanors. However, Dodge noted Timmons has done well during a previous jail term by attending a treatment program, going to chapel and reading the Bible, but he could find no reason to deviate below the guideline range of 78 to 162 months.

“I am sentencing you at the bottom. It’s the best I can do. You know you can’t go back to meth,” he warned.

He did say Timmons might get out earlier for good behavior.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Frank Machnik said Timmons was a high risk to citizens in Cass County. Defense attorney James Jessie said he understands his problem and has received treatment.

Timmons said he was sorry for the trouble he caused.

His costs were $578.

In another Marcellus incident involving drugs, Seth Keeslar, 34, 51960 Lawrence Road, received two years probation plus 180 days jail for habitual-second manufacturing marijuana.

It was March 20 when Keeslar’s house was searched by the Southwestern Enforcement Team (SWET), which discovered 40 marijuana plants and related paraphernalia.