CASSOPOLIS — James Durben, 46, of Edwardsburg, received two years probation in a plea agreement Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Durben Aug. 27 pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deliver and manufacture methamphetamine, operating and maintaining a meth lab, possessing meth and maintaining a drug house May 9 at his residence on Cardevaant Drive.

Prosecutor Victor Fitz called him a “foolish, foolish man” for mixing meth, which is already extremely dangerous, with guns, making for a potential “powder keg.”

Unlike many defendants, he doesn’t come from a terrible background, but is a college graduate who “squandered” his family support.

Judge Michael Dodge said the only blot on Durben’s record was drunk driving in 2007. Durben must complete a treatment program in Muskegon. He was credited for 154 days in jail, loses his driver’s license and ordered to pay a $500 fine among other court costs.