A Mishawaka man who pleaded guilty to attempted uttering and publishing  at Harding’s Market, 407 Broadway St. in Niles, received 150 days in jail with credit for 138 and must pay $1,022, including $524 in restitution.

“This situation has ripped my life apart. I’ve lost everything,” Eddie DeShawn Hill, 37, of 2993 Easton Court, Mishawaka, told Berrien County Trial Court Judge Dennis Wiley Monday.

“Please forgive me,” said Hill, who lost his job as a result of passing a bad check on Dec. 19, 2011. “I was raised better than this.”

Hill pleaded guilty Feb. 17.

The judge rebuked Hill, telling him to stay in Indiana.

“We don’t need you up here” ripping off merchants, he said.

Wiley said Hill’s criminal actions have consequences, including raising prices for honest, law-abiding citizens whenever the store has to offset thievery losses, which, in extreme instances, could cause employees to lose their jobs or the store to close, limiting shopping opportunities.

“It’s not a victimless crime,” the judge said.