By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS - A Union woman who was hooked on drugs was sentenced to prison Friday morning in Cass County Circuit Court. Cassandra Stratton, 22, of Union received 25 months to 20 years for a violation of her probation term for a conviction of manufacturing methamphetamine.
Judge Michael Dodge said it was April 30 when he imposed a three-year probation term on a conviction of manufacturing methamphetamine. He ordered one year in jail with the probation. This court deviated below the guideline range which is rare he said. It required compelling reasons to do so. Dodge said she was released Nov. 4 and lived at home with her parents in Cassopolis and was employed at Hibshman Screw in Union. "By Nov. 30 you lost your job and was forbidden to live at home by your parents," he said.
Dodge recounted that Stratton then tested positive for marijuana in Elkhart , Ind. on a theft charge. He said Stratton agreed to a rehabilitation program, but her behavior went out of control. She also didn't make her court cost payments. "I can't see how I can continue to keep you on probation. You backed me up against the wall. Your probation status is revoked. I don't enjoy this, but, you left me no choice," he said before imposing the prison term.
Dodge continued the payments of $60 to the Crime Victims Fund, $60 state cost, $450 court costs, $350 attorney fee and $2,500 restitution.
Also sent to prison for 18 months to two years was 18-year-old Dale Johnson of Gull Road, Kalamazoo for 4th-degree criminal sexual conduct on Oct. 1, 2003, at Railroad Street in Dowagiac.
Dodge recalled Johnson had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl who became pregnant with his child. Johnson's term is concurrent to three prison terms from a variety of felonies. "You deserve the highest end of your guidelines. This is your fourth conviction," he said.
He is to pay $60 to the Crime Victims fund and a $60 state cost.
Also sentenced was as follows:
Khari Waltke, 26, of U. S, 12 Union for possession of methamphetamine on March 18 in Union. She received 18 months of probation and a suspended 90-day jail term for six months. She is pay a $720 probation fee, $60 to the Crime Victims fund, a $60 state cost, $450 court costs and a $350 attorney fee.
Amy Bowe, 27, of 1404 Woodward Avenue, Elkhart, Ind. received 18 months probation for embezzling over $1,000 at her employment at Kitchenworks, Inc. in Union on Nov. 11, 2003. She is to pay a probation fee of $180, $60 to the Crime Victims fund, a $60 state cost, $450 court costs and a $350 attorney fee. Restitution was ordered at $3,958.39
Gary Kelly Jr., 17, of 508 Orchard Street, Dowagiac, received 330 days in jail for possession of narcotics less than 25 grams on March 21 and a concurrent 365 days for larceny of firearms on May 21, both in Dowagiac. He is to pay $60 to the Crime Victims fund, a $60 state cost and $850 in restitution.
Deena Henslee, 41, of 309 West Railroad, Dowagiac, received two years of probation for attempted welfare fraud on Sept. 1, 2001, (OK) from the Family Independence Agency. She is to pay a probation fee of $240, $60 to the Crime Victims fund, a $60 state cost, $450 court costs and a $350 attorney fee. Restitution ordered was $2,256.
Scott Chapman, 32, of 207 E. Wayne Street, Dowagiac, received two years probation and 60 days jail for larceny in a building on July 29 on Rudy Road, Dowagiac, where he stole construction materials. He is to pay a probation fee of $960, $60 to the Crime Victims fund, a $60 state cost, $450 court costs and a $350 attorney fee. Restitution ordered was $7,410.
Debra Harris, 49, 107 Sherwood Street, Dowagiac, received 180 days in jail for forgery on July 1, 2001, when she stole a check and cashed it from her father. She is to pay $60 to the Crime Victims fund, a $60 state cost and $60 in restitution.
Gordon Henslee, 17, of 309 East Railroad Street, Dowagiac, received two years of probation and 150 days in jail for larceny from a motor vehicle on July 15 in Dowagiac. He is to pay a probation fee of $240, $60 to the Crime Victims fund, a $60 state cost and $450 court costs.