By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS – Co-defendants who maintained methamphetamine labs inside their home in Marcellus will spend the next couple of years in prison for putting children and others at risk. "Meth has done you in," Judge Michael Dodge told Calvin Hartzell Friday morning before sending him off to prison for 3-to-20 years.
Dodge hold Hartzell, 38, who operated the meth labs with Erica Schippers, 30, on Reed Street, "You were within a short distance of a neighbor's home and a library was nearby. There could have been a hazardous explosion where you could have blown up and burned people. It's dangerous to you and others nearby." Dodge said the remnants from the labs operated April 9 required clean up from the hazardous materials crew.
Although Hartzell had no previous record, Dodge could find no substantial and compelling reason to deviate from his 30-to-60 month sentencing guidelines. He said he would have no objections to Hartzell going to boot camp if he qualified. The camp would allow an earlier release if completed. "That's the best I can do under the circumstances," Dodge said.
Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle said Hartzell was involved with Schippers and Christopher Laughlin who was sentenced May 22. One of the labs was located in a children's toy box with a gas generator. She said Hartzell did cooperate with law enforcement, however.
Defense Attorney John Magyar said Hartzell had no prior record and was not a leader in asking for the low end of the guideline range.
Hartzell's court costs totaled $570.
In another sentencing:
Erica Schippers of Coldwater received 2-to-20 years. The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team found 10 operating meth labs or remnants of them in their garage. Vohwinkle said Schippers assisted in buying ingredients involved and cooperated with prosecutors, she said.
Defense Attorney James Miller asked for probation in saying she has no prior convictions and is in a drug program. Her costs involved $570.
Others who went to prison are as follows:
Christopher Conner, 24, 208 E. South St., Cassopolis, received 3-to-10 years for assault with intent to commit sexual penetration on Dec. 23, 2007, on Amerihost Drive in Dowagiac. Conner and his girlfriend were spending the night together when she said she was breaking it off. Conner forced his will upon her, Dodge said. Conner's costs were $570 plus restitution of $2,223.
Jack Jiles, 35, 205 King St., Dowagiac, got 72-months to-20 years each for possession with intent to deliver meth and maintaining a meth lab on April 25 on Edwards Street, Dowagiac. He also received credit for time served of 50 days jail for possession of marijuana. He is to pay $675.
Jennifer Brooks, 36, 228-1/2 N. First St., Cassopolis got three years probation plus one year jail for third-offense operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated on April 10 on South Front Street, Dowagiac. Her blood alcohol level tested at .20 percent, more than twice the legal limit of .08 percent. She received a concurrent 150 days jail for attempted unlawfully driving away of an automobile and credit for 64 days served for operating a vehicle without a driver's license. She was ordered to complete a Kalamazoo probation program and was fined $1,990.
Neil Campbell, 29, 27166 White St., Cassopolis, got two years probation and 270 days jail for third-offense operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated on April 29 on Monette Street in Cassopolis. Campbell was passed out in his truck in the middle of the road with a bottle of vodka between his legs. His blood alcohol level was .25 percent. Dodge said he has been drinking since he was seven years old. "I hope you find he strength to stop," Dodge said before sentencing. He is to pay $1,890.
Hugh Lane, 23, 52730 Lakeview Drive, Dowagiac, received two years probation plus 180 days jail for possession of meth on Jan. 17 in Dowagiac and a concurrent 90 days for possession of marijuana. He is to pay $1,682.