By DEBRA HAIGHT

Leader Publications Contributor

NILES — A Dowagiac man is going to prison after driving drunk in downtown Berrien Springs, while a Niles man who assaulted a woman at a Niles home is getting the chance to stay out of jail.

William Slatter-Quentin Sheffield, 40, of Water Street in Dowagiac, was sentenced Wednesday in Berrien County Trial Court to a prison term of 23 months to five years. He must pay $198 in fines and costs.

Sheffield has credit for no time already served as he was on parole at the time of his arrest. He was originally sentenced to probation in September 2015 for the earlier third offense drunk driving conviction and then sent to prison on June 28, 2016, when he violated his probation.

The most recent drunk driving incident occurred Sept. 23 at Ferry and Cass Streets in downtown Berrien Springs. His drunk driving convictions go back 20 years.

Defense attorney Kevin Banyon described his client as a “bright guy” who is a productive citizen when he is not drinking. “Unfortunately he has an alcohol addiction,” he said.

Banyon asked that Sheffield either be given the chance for a probation sentence or a sentence of 365 days in jail. The sentencing guidelines called for a sentence of between seven and 23 months.

Sheffield apologized for driving when he was drunk.

“I know I have a severe alcohol problem, I’m disgusted with myself,” he said. “I’ve come so far and then I turn around and do the same thing over again. My children are disgusted with me too. I just want to take care of my family.”

“You must first admit what you have done,” Berrien County Trial Judge Scott Schofield said. “Then you apologize and then you work your way through the consequences. You haven’t hit bottom yet and one of my jobs is to help you hit bottom, to make it so onerous that it costs too much to drink.

“You’ve been spectacularly unsuccessful on your own,” the judge added. “You’ve squandered the opportunities you’ve been given. Prison isn’t magic, it doesn’t cure you from your alcohol problem but it does separate you from society and protects society from you. Hopefully you will come out with a renewed commitment to stay sober.”

In a second sentencing, a Niles man was given the chance to stay out of jail after being convicted of attempted assault by strangulation, which is a five- year felony.

Jimmy Van Le, 35, of Emmons Street in Niles, was convicted of attempted assault by strangulation and sentenced to two years probation, 90 days on home incarceration

tether and $1,940 in fines and costs. Restitution will be determined at a later date.

The incident occurred Sept. 23 at a home in Niles. Le choked the victim and threw her on the ground several times. Le last year posted nude pictures of the victim online in what was called “revenge porn” in court.

Judge Schofield told Le that his actions affect his two young children.

“You’ve been teaching him how to disrespect and be violent with women,” he said. “You have to be the man you want him to grow up to be … You’re also teaching your daughter how she can expect to be treated by her boyfriend.”