Man jailed for sexual assault

Published 9:34 am Monday, July 20, 2015

Whether the defendant is a narcissist predator, as characterized by Cass County prosecutors, or an emotional young man with boundary issues, as claimed by his defense attorney, one thing was made clear in Judge Michael Dodge’s courtroom Friday morning.

That 21-year-old Jermarco Holloway will be spending some time jail for his attack on a Southwestern Michigan College student.

The Cass County Circuit Court judge sentenced the Redford, Michigan, resident to one year in jail and five years of probation for a single count of criminal sexual conduct during his sentencing hearing at the Cass County Law & Courts Building in Cassopolis. Holloway pleaded guilty to the charge on June 10.

The count stems from an incident that occurred on Oct. 31, 2014, at one of the dormitory facilities on the Dowagiac campus of the community college. Holloway had entered the living quarters of one of the students living inside the building without permission between 8 and 9 p.m. The student had been baking with her friends that evening, and had briefly returned to her room to retrieve a cake pan, leaving the door slightly ajar, which allowed the defendant to enter the premises, said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Frank Machnik.

When Holloway entered the room, he began to attempt to disrobe the victim, Machnik said. When she told him to stop, he grabbed her by the throat and began to grope her.

“You can imagine the impact this had on the victim,” Machnik said, adding that the student has since stopped attending the college.

Several other students have registered complaints against Holloway as well, Judge Dodge said.

Machnik, who characterized Holloway as a “narcissist” and a “predictor,” said the victim indicated that she would like to see her attacker sent to prison for his actions.

“I think the maximum sentencing guidelines are appropriate, for no other purpose than to keep people safe, to keep other women safe from him,” the prosecutor said.

Holloway’s attorney, William Weise, argued that the judge should sentence his client in line with the probation department’s recommendation of probation and jail time, pointing out that the 21-year-old has no prior record and no history of psychiatric or substance abuse issues. The lawyer also pointed out that Holloway would be paying a heavy price regardless, due to his mandatory lifetime registration on the state’s sex offender registry.

“[Holloway] pled guilty and took responsibility for his actions,” Weise said. “I think the recommendation is fair and proportionate to this offense and this defendant.”

Holloway will be allowed to spend the last 180 days of his jail sentence on tether, Judge Dodge ruled. He was also given credit for five days already served.

Also sentenced Friday:

• Shelby Vanwormer, 19, of Bristol, Indiana, to one year of probation for possession and delivery/manufacturing of marijuana.

• Crystal Mack-Smith, 44, of Cassopolis, to two years of probation for possession of meth and marijuana and for maintaining a drug house.

• Shawn Dixon, 41, of Dowagiac, to a minimum of two years to a maximum of 15 years in prison, for resisting and obstructing a police officer.

• Jack Hicks, 30, of Marcellus, to a minimum of two years to a maximum of seven years in prison, for carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana.

• Richard Johnson, 32, of Elkhart, to three months of probation and 102 days in jail for meth related charges.

• Michael Mitchell, 23, of Niles, to 18 months of probation and two days in jail for possession of marijuana and resisting arrest.

• Dameon Ouert, 29, of Dowagiac, to two years of probation and 196 days in jail for multiple charges, including possession of firearms by a felon and false report of a felony.