A Niles man who consumed an alcoholic beverage laced with ecstasy and then scaled a power station transformer will serve jail time for the crime.

Travis Dunifin, 43, was charged with attempted trespassing on a key facility, a two-year misdemeanor. He pleaded no contest to the crime on Sept. 12.

Berrien County Trial Court Judge Angela Pasula sentenced Dunifin Monday to serve three years of probation and 100 days in the Berrien County Jail. He has 46 days of jail time credit.

The crime stemmed from incidents which occurred around 8:18 p.m. June 4, when police were dispatched to 12th and Sheffield streets on the report of a man standing on top of a transformer — an electrical device used to transmit currents. On top of the transformer, Dunifin was yelling that he was hiding from police, according to court documents.

Ten-foot fencing surrounded the perimeter property and multiple signs stated that the property was private, authorities noted in the police report. Signs also cautioned that the area was high voltage.

When Niles police and firefighters arrived on scene there was black smoke pouring from the top of the transformer and Dunifin could be seen inside the power station.

Despite, pleas from police, he refused to leave the property and threatened suicide.

AEP shut off power to the property and Dunifin was rescued when firefighters deployed a ladder truck to bring him down. He sustained a burn on his left hand and arm. Authorities noted that there was skin hanging off his arm and his chest was red.

Dunifin told the court that earlier that day, he had been at a campground drinking with friends and family. He said he consumed beer and some “jungle juice” — a mix of alcohol and juice that, unknown to Dunifin, contained the drug ecstasy.

When Dunifin began drinking that day, he said he had been struggling with some problems in his life, including being evicted from his home. After drinking at the campground, Dunifin said he had been advised by family to take a shortcut home. While walking home, he claimed he saw a hole in the fence of the power station. Once inside the property, he said he became confused about how he got there and could not find a way out.

“I didn’t know where I was,” Dunifin said. “I felt like I was having a heart attack. I got electrocuted and I don’t remember the rest.”

Defense attorney Scott Sanford asked that the judge not impose additional jail time and said the drug substance Dunifin consumed was the cause of his uncooperative behavior.

Since Dunifin had been incarcerated, Sanford said his client had been taking medication regularly and his behavior had “markedly” improved.

Through his actions that day, Pasula said Dunifin had done more than put his own life in danger.

“You endangered the lives of police and firefighters,” Pasula said. “They had to risk their lives to get to you.”

She also referred to his criminal record as a “cornucopia of convictions,” including 16 jail sentences and three prison stints. He had no prior convictions for breaking and entering into a key facility.

In addition to serving jail time, Pasula ordered that Dunifin complete mental health court and the MRT program, a substance abuse treatment program for criminal offenders.

Also sentenced Monday:

• Jennifer Zelmer, 47, of Niles, was charged with operating while intoxicated, second offense; police officer resisting and arresting and contempt of court. She was sentenced to the Michigan Department of Corrections to serve a minimum of 14 months to a maximum of 24 months for resisting arrest. For the operating while intoxicated charge, she was sentenced to 180 days in the Berrien County Jail. For the contempt of court, she was sentenced to 30 days in the Berrien County Jail. Her sentences will be served concurrently.

• Steven Machurick, 26, of Berrien Springs, was charged with breaking and entering. He was sentenced to 110 days in the Berrien County Jail and two years of probation.

• Walter Wooten, 20, of Buchanan, was charged with resisting and obstructing an officer and domestic violence. He was sentenced to two years of probation and 75 days in the Berrien County Jail.

• Zecharias Warren, 24, of Dowagiac, was charged with impaired driving, attempted resisting and obstructing a police officer and contempt of court. He was sentenced to one year of probation, 75 days in the Berrien County Jail for the first charge, 21 days for the second charge and 30 days for contempt of court. His sentences will be served concurrently.

• Jacob Wiltrout, 18, of Niles, was charged with accosting a child for immoral purposes. He was sentenced to 5 years of probation, 90 days in the Berrien County Jail, 120 days on tether, following jail time.

• Thomas Slaughter, 39, of Niles, was charged with domestic violence, third offense. He was sentenced to three years of probation, 270 days in the Berrien County Jail and 180 days on monitoring and GPS.