A Cassopolis man who operated an extensive methamphetamine laboratory out of his home narrowly avoided a long stint in a Michigan penitentiary Friday.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman sentenced 37-year-old Joshua Lavon Parcher to a three-year term on the Michigan Swift and Sure Sanction Probation program during the man’s hearing in Cass County court that morning. Parcher was punished for several methamphetamine-related crimes, including operating/maintaining a lab involving methamphetamine, conspiracy to operate/maintain a lab involving methamphetamine, operating/maintaining a lab involving hazardous waste, conspiracy to operate/maintain a lab involving hazardous waste, and possession of methamphetamine.

The Cassopolis man pleaded guilty to the five counts Feb. 27.

As part of his sentence, Herman ordered Parcher to successfully complete the drug rehabilitation program at the Twin County Probation Center in Three Rivers.

Detectives with the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team apprehended Parcher following the execution of a search warrant at the man’s residence on Gards Prairie Road on Nov. 29. Officers obtained the warrant due to the suspicious amount of pseudoephedrine the man had purchased over a short period of time, Herman said.

Police uncovered a litany of evidence pointing toward methamphetamine production and use at Parcher’s residence, including sodium hydroxide, lithium battery shells, pseudoephedrine blister packs, syringes, Ziploc bags, lye and others substances.

Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz pointed out that Parcher has an extensive criminal background, with five felony and 16 misdemeanor convictions. The prosecutor recommended the judge impose a prison sentence on the defendant, as combination of Parcher’s past behavior and his admitted drug addiction made the Cassopolis man a danger to the public, Fitz said.

“This defendant has made his own bed, so to speak,” the prosecutor said. “It is a little bit sad, but this man has put himself in a troublesome situation.”

Parcher’s attorney, Carie Schenk, said her client’s criminal past came as a result of abuse he suffered as a child, and began abusing drugs at an early age. Since his arrest, Parcher recognizes the impact his addiction has wrought on his life and is looking to change: an opportunity a stint on the Swift and Sure program can give him, the attorney said.

“You see conviction after conviction after conviction [on his prior record] — but what you don’t see is any treatment,” Schenk said. “He’s never gotten any.”

Parcher told the judge himself he is ready to break the cycle he has been stuck in for more than half his life.

“[My addiction] has caused me nothing but pain,” the defendant said. “My kids have grown up without a father. I just need to be there for them and show them the right way.”

Herman decided to admit Parcher into the drug treatment program, as the judge did not believe a stint in prison would reform the defendant, he said. However, Herman warned that if Parcher does not change his thinking or continues to associate with drug users, he will end up behind bars again.

“You hold the keys,” Herman said to the defendant. “If you participate in this program and take this opportunity seriously, you’ll never spend another day in prison.”

Herman suspended Parcher’s drivers license for one year due to the drug conviction.

Also sentenced Friday:

• William David Henry Jr., 39, of Cassopolis, to 270 days in jail for failure to register as a sex offender.

• Michael Alan Deming, 43, of Niles, to 30 days in jail and 18 months of probation for operating while intoxicated.