CASSOPOLIS — Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Diab Rizk said there was a disturbing trend during sentencings in Cass County Circuit Court Friday.

Three young adults “heading down the wrong road,” according to Rizk, were sentenced to jail for unrelated offenses.

Corey Kovatch, a 20-year-old Dowagiac resident, received a one-year jail term for a delivery of cocaine and delivery and manufacturing of marijuana convictions. He will receive credit for five days already served.

Judge Michael Dodge said Kovatch was an “all-too frequent visitor of this courtroom” with five prior felonies and four misdemeanors.

“It’s pretty sad at age 20 to be an habitual offender third,” Dodge said.

Rizk said Kovatch is “inching closer and closer to prison” by racking up drug convictions.

Defense attorney James Mequio said since his client is young, he “has plenty of time to make a success out of his life yet.” Mequio also pointed to Kovatch’s supportive family and his desire to further his education and get treatment for his addiction.

“I know I need help. I plan on getting help,” Kovatch said. “I am going to finish my education and try to be better from now on.”

Also getting jail time was Plymouth resident Joseph Rapalski, 24. He was sentenced to six months in jail with credit for 47 days served, but the term runs concurrently with another sentence in Berrien County.

Rapalski broke into a Cassopolis resident’s garage and stole some tools and equipment in June 2009. This was just one of two other felonies he recently committed — one in Berrien County and the other in St. Joseph County, Ind.

“It’s time to stop this trend of stacking offenses,” Dodge told Rapalski.

Rapalski was remorseful in his statement.

“I apologize to the victim and the State of Michigan,” he said. “I am trying to do better with my life.”

Rapalski was also ordered to pay $732 in restitution.

Finally, 18-year-old Terron Young of Dowagiac was given 30 days in jail and one year of probation for resisting and obstructing a police officer. Young will receive credit for three days already served.