By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS -- Michael Oneal Nelson, 44, of 503 Vineyard Place, Apt. 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 police, who were waiting outside the bank when he exited.
In Cass County Circuit Court Friday, Judge Michael E. Dodge 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 tried to rob 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 over $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 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.
Dodge was surprised Lee has been able to hold down a good job at Georgie Boy, while having his OUIL 3rd, with five other drunk driving charges.
On Feb. 4, 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.