A Niles man will serve the next several months inside of Cass County jail for allowing his residence to become an active warehouse for narcotics.

Cass County Circuit Judge Michael Dodge sentenced James Walter Berry, 63, to 240 days in jail on charges of maintaining a drug house and possession of a firearm by a felon Friday. Berry had appeared before the court prior his sentencing on April 28, where he pleaded guilty both charges.

According to the court, the charges stem from an incident that occurred on May 16, 2013. On that day, narcotics detectives with the Michigan State Police Department executed a search warrant for the residence that Berry was renting on Moulder Drive where they discovered the presence of cocaine.

“They obtained that search warrant because they made five controlled drug buys of cocaine out of that residence,” Dodge said. “The police had made undercover buys five times for cocaine out of the property that you rented.”

Dodge said at the time, Berry was renting the property to another man, who was using the home to make drug deals from. Berry later admitted to police that his tenant was also storing marijuana at the house as well.

“You had to be aware of what they were doing there in your house was not good behavior,” Dodge said. “They were making cocaine sales, and you had a pretty good idea that was going on.”

The police also discovered a firearm stashed away inside an entertainment center that Berry said he had placed there himself. Berry was unable to legally possess a firearm at the time, due to prior criminal record, Dodge said.

“You have an extensive criminal record, which puts you in a bad situation here,” Dodge said. “Your past record consists of 24 entries: 17 misdemeanors and four previous felonies.”

Berry was given two days credit for time already served.

Also sentenced Friday were:

• Bruce Lee Starrett, 38, of Dowagiac, to one year of probation for possession of an analogue substance. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on March 10. During a traffic stop near Rail Road Street, a Dowagiac police officer discovered that Starrett was in possession of nine hydrocodone pills that he lacked a prescription for.

• Blanton Lutrell Ruff, 36, of Detroit, to 120 days in jail for possession of marijuana. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Feb. 25, when Dowagiac Police responded to complaints that Ruff was soliciting local homes without a permit. Officers discovered that he was in possession of the drug following a search of his persons. He was given 60 days credit for time already served.

• Carol Kay Allison, 64, of Dowagiac, to 18 months of probation for multiple marijuana related charges. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Jan. 29, after officers with the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant of her residence on Wells Street. There, the police found that she was growing marijuana plants in excess of the legal amount she was permitted with her medical marijuana card. Her driver’s license was also suspended.

• Randy Young, 56, of Vandalia, to one year in jail and two years of probation for multiple meth related charges. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Dec. 5, after the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team conducted a search of Young’s residence on Williamsville Street. The police found evidence of Methamphetamine manufacture and use at the home. Young was given 183 days credit for time already served.

• Danny Mack Wilson, 56, of Dowagiac, to 30 days in jail and two years of probation for operating while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on April 6, when Wilson’s vehicle was stopped by police near N. Paul and Franklin Streets for erratic driving. Police conducted a preliminary breathalyzer test that showed he had a .17 blood alcohol level. He was also found in possession of hydrocodone. He was given two days credit for time already served.

• Christian Goodenough, 21, of Battle Creek, to 90 days in jail for unlawfully driving away an automobile.

• Amy Lee Taylor, 32, of Bushnell, Florida, to two years of probation for multiple charges, including assault and battery and obstructing police.