CASSOPOLIS — A South Bend teenager with no previous criminal record is on his way to prison for his involvement in a Niles home invasion.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Michael Dodge sentenced Michael Adams, 19, to three to 20 years in prison Friday. He will get credit for 110 days already served.

Although Adams had no criminal record, the severity of the offense meant a mandatory prison sentence.

The crime took place Sept. 20 at 9:30 a.m. at a home on Broderick Way in Niles.

Adams, who was with three other men, kicked in the back door of the home, triggering an alarm. The two women inside the residence also contacted the police.

The perpetrators fled the scene, only to return later that day and attempt to break into the home again. The women began to scream and told the men the police were on the way. They were later arrested.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Frank Machnik credited Adams for his clean prior record.

“But this wasn’t just one incident or bad decision,” Machnik said. “It was a pattern, according to the co-defendants.”

Machnik said Adams and his co-defendants were responsible for multiple home invasions throughout southwest Michigan and northern Indiana.

Defense attorney Gregory Feldman said Adams had begun “to run with a bad crowd.”

“He was probably under a lot of peer pressure,” Feldman said.

For his part, Adams was remorseful.

“I’m sorry,” he said, choking back tears. “This is not who I am. I’m sorry to my family for disgracing them.”

Machnik said the victims of the crime have suffered “ongoing and acute psychological trauma as a result of this” and are requesting restitution to cover treatment.

Restitution will be determined at a later date.