By By NORMA LERNER / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - Two men whom authorities said made methamphetamines in their car in the Marcellus area will spend their Christmas holidays behind bars.
Sentenced to prison terms Friday morning in Cass County Circuit Court were Calvin Champagne, 26, of Meade Street in South Bend, Ind., and Ross Paris, 24, of Chain Lake Street, Cassopolis.
Champagne was imposed a 40-month to 20-year term by Circuit Judge Michael E. Dodge for each conviction of possession with intent to deliver/manufacture methamphetamine and operating/maintaining a methamphetamine laboratory on Aug. 19 on Hoffman Road, Marcellus, with terms to run concurrently.
Paris received more time because of his third-habitual offender status. He got concurrent 60 months to 40 years for each conviction of delivery/manufacturing methamphetamine and operating/maintaining a methamphetamine laboratory, also on Aug. 19, at the same place.
Cass County prosecutor said the men who were manufacturing methamphetamine from their automobile were dealing with a "very, very dangerous drug." He said one of the deputies who made the arrest was subjected to fumes and was overcome. "It could have killed another person," Fitz said in asking for prison terms for both of them.
Fitz referred to the explosion of a meth lab in Vandalia in April when Anthony Hinton was seriously injured. He, too, faces up to 20 years in prison in January when he will be sentenced for his jury conviction last week for possession of methamphetamine and possession methamphetamine laboratory equipment.
Defense Attorney James Miller who represented Champagne said he admits his substance abuse problem and needs out-patient treatment. Only he can make choices, he said, in asking for the low end of his guideline range of 30 to 50 months.
Both Champagne and Paris said they were "sorry" about the mishap of the police officer.
Defense Attorney Dale Blunier for Paris said he regretted that he dragged down others in his family. "It has affected him very seriously," he said in asking for the low end of his guideline range of 51 to 127 months.
Dodge recounted that on Aug. 19 the two men were involved in operating a mobile meth lab with the use of anhydrous ammonia. He said Paris has several prior convictions and is now a habitual offender third. This means his prison term can be doubled from 20 to 40 years. There was an agreement to cap it at 60 months, he said.
Both men were credited for 113 days served. They each must pay $60 to the Crime Victims' fund, $120 state costs, $450 court costs and attorney fees of $350.
Also sent to prison on Friday was Kris Manley, 46, of M-62 North, Cassopolis, who received 100 months to 15 years on a conviction of second-degree criminal sexual conduct on Oct. 1, 2000, for molesting a then 13-year-old family member.
Fitz said this was an example of "evil against the victim." He said fortunately the light of day has been shed on the crime. "He is here to face justice. The public needs to be protected," he said in asking for a prison term at the high end of his guideline range of 50 to 100 months.
Manley received credit for 220 days served and must pay a $60 state fee, $450 in court costs and a $350 attorney fee.
In other sentencings:
Mark Miller, 37, of 321 Michigan-62 North, Cassopolis, received 40 months to 15 years in prison for second-offense home invasion and a concurrent 36 months to five years for unlawful driving away of an automobile on May 21 on Michigan Avenue in Dowagiac. Miller was employed at the Groner Funeral Home and drove away a 1997 Town car belonging to David Groner and crashed it in Jefferson Township. He robbed the Groner residence and stole property and cash. He must pay $60 to the Crime Victims' fund, $120 in state costs, $450 in court costs and $350 in attorney fees.
Darlene Haley, 39, of 24287 Dewey Lake Street, Dowagiac, was sent to jail for 90 days suspended for six months for a conviction of embezzlement of $1,000 to $20,000 at the Save-A-Lot in Dowagiac where she was employed more than three years. Dodge said she supported her cocaine habit with the money and must serve five years of probation. He said if she tested positively once, the 90 day jail term will be imposed. She is to pay a $40 per month probation supervision fee, $60 to the Crime Victims' fund, $60 in state costs, $450 in court costs and $350 in attorney fees. Restitution was ordered at $27,880.
Donald Fazi, 43, of 1002 Leet Road, Niles, received 144 months to 20 years in prison for first-degree home invasion on May 24 at a residence on Breezy Beach, Niles. He entered the home to commit larceny but fled after waking up the owner of the house. He was tracked down by police and apprehended. This sentence is concurrent with two Berrien County sentencings for first-and second-degree home invasions. He must pay must pay $60 to the Crime Victims' fund, $60 in state costs, $450 in court costs and $350 in attorney fees.
Robert Deforest, 25, 513 Vineyard Place, Dowagiac, received one year in jail less credit for 108 days served for unlawfully driving away an automobile on March 17 on Pennsylvania Avenue, Dowagiac, while he was intoxicated. He must pay $60 to the Crime Victims' fund, $60 in state costs, $450 in court costs and $350 in attorney fees.
Joseph Greenwood Jr., 41, 19919 North Metcalf, Edwardsburg, received five years of probation and credit for 114 days time served for failure to pay child support on Nov. 3, 1999, for one daughter. He must pay $60 to the Crime Victims' fund, $60 in state costs, $450 in court costs, $350 in attorney fees and $25 per month probation supervision fee. Restitution was ordered at $24,000.