CASSOPOLIS — Tyler Nickens has been given plenty of opportunities by the Cass County Court system.

The 22-year-old Dowagiac resident has seven felonies on his record but had never received a prison sentence — until now.

Judge Michael Dodge sentenced Nickens to 18 months to eight years in prison for resisting and obstructing an officer causing injury Friday at Cass County Circuit Court. He will receive credit for 59 days already served.

“I’ve given you every opportunity to avoid prison (in the past),” Dodge told Nickens.

The offense occurred in July when Nickens was staying at a friend’s home.

The friend called police when he noticed Nickens had taken off his tether device that he was wearing while on felony probation.

When police arrived, Nickens was sleeping on the couch. When the
officers woke him up, Nickens resisted arrest. Police had to use a

Taser to detain him. An officer was injured in the scuffle. “Mr. Nickens needs to realize this is not a TV program. These are human lives,” said Prosecutor Victor Fitz.

For his part, Nickens apologized and tried to explain his actions. “I was asleep on the couch. What was I supposed to do?” he said.