CASSOPOLIS — A 19-year-old Dowagiac man wept openly in Cass County Circuit Court several times during his sentencing hearing Friday.

Ryan Ridenour was facing the real possibility of more than four years in prison for producing and using methamphetamine with two others in December.

Taking into account Ridenour’s young age, difficult childhood and limited prior criminal record, Judge Michael Dodge deviated significantly from the sentencing guidelines of 51 to 106 months in jail.

Dodge sentenced Ridenour to a three-year probation term and 365 days in Cass County Jail with credit for 117 days served. Dodge suspended the last six months of jail time to allow Ridenour to attend and successfully complete the Simple Truth Program in Marcellus.

Dodge warned Ridenour he would be staring at a lengthy prison term if he doesn’t satisfy the terms of his probation and complete the Simple Truth Program.

“At least we can say we’ve given you a chance to try to avoid that,” Dodge said. “It is all going to be up to you.”

Ridenour pleaded guilty in March to four felony counts of operating and maintaining a hazardous waste lab, conspiracy to deliver/manufacture meth, delivering/manufacturing meth and operating/maintaining a meth lab.

Ridenour and two others were caught making and using meth at a residence on Marcellus Highway in Dowagiac on Dec. 26.

Ridenour, who admits to being a meth addict, was considered a habitual offender with three prior misdemeanor convictions on his record. Two were committed as a juvenile and one as an adult.