CASSOPOLIS — Joshua Wyatt believes he is being given a second chance.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Michael Dodge tends to agree.

Dodge told the Buchanan man he was “staring down the barrel” of a 51-month prison sentence for meth-related charges he pleaded guilty to in December.

Wyatt, 33, avoided the lengthy prison sentence by agreeing to provide the Cass County prosecutor’s office information about another man involved in a drug case.

Because of his willingness to cooperate with the prosecutor’s office, Wyatt was sentenced to three years of probation and a year in Cass County Jail. He gets credit for 170 days served.

“You have been given a second chance by virtue of this recommendation by the prosecutor and the court agrees with it,” Dodge said.

Dodge said police acting on a tip found Wyatt manufacturing methamphetamine in his garage. Wyatt admitted he was selling meth to pay for bills.

“Particularly egregious to this matter is the fact that he was also making money off it,” rosecutor Victor Fitz said. “He is poisoning other people and destroying their lives in order to pay his bills.”

Dodge also said Wyatt must complete a one-year residential substance abuse treatment program to satisfy the probation terms.