By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS -- Michael Oneal Nelson, 44, of 503 Vineyard Apt. No. 13., Dowagiac, pretended the newspaper stuffed in his pocket was a gun when he went into the Dowagiac Huntington Bank at 2:45 p.m. on March 20, 2003.
Even though there was no weapon, he still stole $1,854 and threatened the teller. A 911 hang-up call alerted the police, who were waiting outside the bank when he exited.
In Circuit Court Friday, Cass County Judge Michael E. Doge did say it was good Nelson "immediately went to the ground, and didn't resist arrest and put people in more danger, but the teller will probably have "lasting damage."
Nelson, drunk at the time, said he was sorry it happened. Still it was a "serious crime," said Prosecutor Victor Fitz. The day previously he had tried to rob the Old Kent Bank in Niles.
He was sentenced to the Michigan Department of Corrections for 38 months to 20 years. He is to pay $60 DNA fee, and $60 to the Crime Victims' Fund.
In other sentencings:
Adams, 19 at the time, said they were "in love," and that he intends to support the child. A pregnancy resulted "robbing her of her youth," added Dodge.
He was sentenced to 90 days in the Cass County Jail, with credit for two days and put on two years probation.
He is to pay $60 DNA fee, $60 to the Crime Victims' Fund, $450 court costs, and $350 attorney fees. He can ask for work release or tether, Dodge added.
He is more than $34,000 in arrears in child support payments, having paid only $691.75 between the end of 1999 and September of 2002.
He admitted he needed rehabilitation, and hoped he could be sent back to Colorado, which sent him back to Cass County. Instead he will be in the Cass County Jail for 365 days, with credit for 71 days.
He is to pay $60 DNA fee, $60 to the Crime Victims' Fund, and $350 attorney fees.
Moore was sentenced to the Michigan Department of Correction for 23 months to 14 years. This sentence is consecutive to another sentence in Arkansas and concurrent to one in Berrien County.
He is to pay $60 DNA fee, $60 to the Crime Victims' Fund, and $102 in restitution.
On Feb. 4, 2003, police officers tried to stop Lee for no headlights, but he continued to his home. There he damaged the police car interior and assaulted a police officer.
He was sentenced to 365 days in the Cass County Jail with credit for two days and put on three years probation.
He is to pay probation fees, $60 DNA fee, $60 to the Crime Victims' Fund, $450 court costs, a $500 fine, and $150 lab fee. His license was revoked.
He was sent to 180 days in jail, with six days credit, and also three years probation.
Since 1997, Dodge said, Ridenour has only paid $227, with $790 taken from his taxes. He owes nearly $15,000 in back support.
He is to pay probation fees, $60 DNA fee, $60 to the Crime Victims' Fund, $450 court costs, and a $200 fine.
Her attorney, Dale Blunier, told the court she is in AA and counseling in Cadillac. On Nov. 29, 2002 she assault and resulted a Cass County Sheriff's officer. After her bond was reduced, she failed to appear.
She was sentenced to 120 days to the Cass County Jail, with credit 50. She is to pay $60 DNA fee and $60 to the Crime Victims' Fund.
He was put on two years probation and is to pay probation fees, $60 DNA fee, $60 to the Crime Victims' Fund, $450 court costs, $350 attorney fees, and a $200 fine.