By AARON MUELLER
Edwardsburg Argus

CASSOPOLIS – Tammy Henderson of Edwardsburg, who pleaded guilty to operating and maintaining a methamphetamine house in May 2009, took her delayed sentencing period very seriously, and it saved her from a trip to prison during her sentencing Friday.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Michael Dodge elected to deviate below the state sentencing guidelines of a prison term of a minimum of 2 1/2 years. Instead, Henderson received two years of probation. Dodge also suspended her 270-day jail sentence as long as she follows the terms of probation.

Since being arrested in February of last year, Henderson has been cooperative with the court, graduated from a drug treatment program and is attending Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. In addition, Dodge was impressed that Henderson, 44, has passed all her drug tests and even obtained employment.

“There are so few success stories when it comes to meth,” Dodge said. “I can’t think of anything like this. You’ve done an outstanding job. You’re a success story.”

Defense attorney Gary Hosbein said Henderson “represents all that’s good and right with the legal system.”

He also called her the “poster child” for turning her life around through the legal system.