Niles man gets 6 years for home invasion

Published 1:01 pm Friday, March 22, 2013

CASSOPOLIS — A 23-year-old Niles man described as taking a “rollercoaster ride of drugs” was sentenced to a minimum of six years in prison for breaking into and stealing several items, including guns, from a friend’s home.

Adam Saltsman pleaded guilty to larceny in a building and second-degree home invasion stemming from his actions on May 27. Saltsman broke the bedroom window of home on Mannix Street in Howard Township and stole from the home two televisions, jewelry, a safe, several long guns and other electronic items.

Cass County Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle said during Friday’s sentencing hearing Saltsman was high when he broke into the home.

“It sounds like he was on a rollercoaster ride of drugs,” Vohwinkle said. “Unfortunately his problem has spun out of control and is affecting everyone here, and he’s done that multiple times.”

Saltsman was in the middle of destroying his girlfriend’s property when police arrested him, Vohwinkle said.

In exchange for pleading guilty, the prosecutor’s office agreed to give Saltsman a sentence at the bottom of the guideline range, which was 72 to 120 months in prison.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Michael Dodge said he could either accept the plea agreement or reject it, resulting in the case going back to square one.

Dodge accepted the deal and sentenced Saltsman to six years in the Michigan Department of Corrections with credit for 229 days served.

Saltsman’s prior record includes two high-severity felony convictions, one for second-degree home invasion and the other for possession of methamphetamine.