Niles man sentenced for stalking
Published 8:31 am Wednesday, September 2, 2015
A Niles man described by a county prosecutor as being “completely out of control” will spend several months in jail for harassing his ex-girlfriend’s mother.
Austin Cole Rosenthal, 22, was sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court in Niles to 180 days in jail and five years on probation on one count of aggravated stalking — a charge to which he pleaded guilty earlier this year.
Judge Dennis Wiley also ordered Rosenthal to spend 180 days on an alcohol monitoring system once he gets out of jail.
Wiley warned Rosenthal that he would likely be sent to prison if he violates any of the terms of his probation, including that he can’t drink alcohol.
“We are going to give you a try, but I want you to understand this is a one shot deal,” the judge said.
According to court documents, Rosenthal harassed his ex-girlfriend and her mother on two separate occasions July 11 at his ex-girlfriend’s mother’s home in Niles.
He broke down a door, stole cigarettes, threatened occupants in the home and poked a hole in the tire of a vehicle parked outside, according to court documents.
Assistant Prosecutor Amy Byrd said Rosenthal did all this despite his ex-girlfriend’s mother having taken out on him a valid personal protection order. The PPO, she said, did not allow him to enter her home.
“He is completely out of control,” Byrd said.
Rosenthal apologized to the victims and said he wants to get help for his anger issues.
“I understand I let my anger get the best of me,” he said.
Rosenthal and his ex-girlfriend have two children together. His ex-girlfriend’s mother spoke in court. She said she has known Rosenthal for years and hopes that he learns how to control his anger. She also said she hopes her daughter and Rosenthal will be good parents to their children, even if they aren’t together.
“I want everything to get back to normal,” she said.