By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS – Craig Stump of Union, a large methamphetamine dealer, will spend at least three years in prison and up to 20 years.
The 47-year-old was sentenced Friday in Cass County Circuit Court by Judge Michael Dodge, who said Stump did not have a prior record, but was "heavily involved with meth."
Dodge said this is a serious offense and to deviate from his 30- to 50-month guideline range, he would have to recognize compelling and substantial reasons to do so.
"There is nothing else I can say other than I feel sorry for you," Dodge said before imposing the prison term.
Stump, of 69728 Union Road, apologized to the court and to his family and thanked them for their support.
It was July 18 when Michigan State Police had a search warrant for his residence on Union Road for operating a lab for the manufacture of meth.
Dodge said he had many meth-related components and a pistol in his possession.
Carrie Jensen of Climax, Mich., lived with him in the house.
She purchased some meth-related items from the Union Market and appeared to be under the influence at the time, Dodge said.
Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Stump had a gun. "Either he intended to use it or not. It raises stakes for people in the neighborhood."
There were other people migrating to this location.
Eighty pounds of substance is not just dabbling in drugs, Fitz said.
He credited the drug enforcement team for finding the lab.
Defense attorney Gary Stewart said Stump has no record, none at all. He got involved, and it had such a grip on him he couldn't get away. He needs help and treatment. He was cooperative with the pre-sentence investigator and wants to get on with his life.
In addition to five counts of maintaining a meth lab, Stump got credit for time served of 123 days each for five counts of possessing meth and marijuana and maintaining a drug house. His costs totaled $1,666.
Jensen, 29, received two to 20 years for two counts of maintaining a meth lab and possession of meth and costs of $570.
In other June 6 sentencings:
Jamie Sylvester, 24, of 713 Mary St., Dowagiac, got three years probation plus one year jail for each of conspiracy to maintain a meth lab, maintaining a meth lab and possession of meth on March 18 on Marcellus Highway in Dowagiac. Her costs were $1,950.
Daniel Allen, 20, of 57550 Sink Road, Dowagiac, received two years probation with the first 60 days ordered not to drive a vehicle for delivery/manufacturing marijuana and driving while license suspended on Dec.18 on Cass Avenue, Dowagiac. He is to pay $915 in costs.
Charles Spaulding, 26, of 62430 Locust Road, South Bend, Ind., received 18 months probation plus 90 days jail for maintaining a drug house on Feb. 22, 2006, on Broadway Street, Cassopolis. He is to pay $987. He may be released after 45 days if he pays all of his court assessments.
Robert Kirkland, 78, of 114 S. Lowe St., Dowagiac, received 141days jail with credit for time served for second-habitual offense maintaining a drug house and delivery of less than 50 grams of cocaine on Lowe Street, Dowagiac, on Oct. 8. He is pay $180 cost.
Tommy Gibbs, 43, of 2411 Butler St., Benton Harbor, got one to five years prison for receiving and concealing stolen property from $1,000 to $20,000 Dec. 2 on Dodd Road in Niles. Gibbs and a companion took a log splitter from the Donald Dodd residence. It was returned to the owner. Gibbs committed the crime while on parole from another sentencing. He is to pay $610 cost.
Rodney Hartline, 32, of 56108 E. Wood St., Cassopolis, got 45 months to 20 years prison for maintaining a meth lab and 23 months to 10 years each for child abuse and maintaining a drug house on March 13 on 62296 Anderson Road, Cassopolis.
Hartline's children were in the presence of the meth lab. He is to pay $750 costs.