CASSOPOLIS — Most of Christopher Glon’s brushes with the law revolve around drinking and driving, but so far he’s only hurt himself.
Glon, 26, of 25770 Hospital St., Cassopolis, pleaded no contest Oct. 3 to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, third offense, on Dec. 5, 2008, in Jefferson Township.
Circuit Judge Michael E. Dodge recalled that Glon, who has a child, suffered a closed-head injury when he lost control of the vehicle and plowed into a tree.
Emergency responders found him passed out and unresponsive, a case of Budweiser beer in the backseat.
Toxicology results placed his intoxication at twice the legal limit.
Dowagiac attorney Roosevelt Thomas called his client’s problem with alcohol addiction a “sad situation.” Work release might be “therapeutic” because Glon continues to suffer memory loss from the accident.
“This happens repeatedly,” Dodge said, mindful of one felony and nine prior misdemeanors that seem to be “thumbing your nose at the court.”
Fortunately, the judge added, he did not kill or injure an innocent person.
“It’s bad enough that you darn near killed yourself,” Dodge said, which ought to be incentive enough to swear off alcohol.
Glon’s two-year probation sentence includes 240 days in jail with credit for two, 90 days on tether, a $500 fine, other court costs and revocation of his driver’s license.
In another Cassopolis case, William Madison Carpenter, 32, of 18890 Williamsville Road, was handed down 120 days in jail, a $400 fine and other court costs for marijuana possession, second.
Carpenter’s criminal history includes six felonies and five misdemeanors, including armed robbery and home invasion as a teen-ager, though “I’ve been trying to do the right thing,” he said.
Early Sept. 11 at a gas station on State Street in Cassopolis, a police officer saw a baggie of marijuana fall to the floor and issued an appearance ticket.
Dodge acknowledged Carpenter’s “unfortunate baggage” balanced with him getting married, having a child and his attempts to improve.