Dowagiac resident sentenced for robbery, assault of elderly man

Published 9:49 am Monday, May 6, 2019

CASSOPOLIS — A man who assaulted and robbed an elderly Dowagiac man last October will be spending the next 15 years in prison after being sentenced Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Michael William Enboden, 49, of Third Street in Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery and larceny from a person as a habitual offender and was sentenced to 15 to 40 years in prison on the robbery charge and eight to 30 years in prison on the larceny charge.

The two prison terms are concurrent. He has credit for 169 days already served and was ordered to pay $1,116 in fines and costs and $1,005.50 restitution.

Michael William Enboden

The incident occurred Oct. 3, 2018, at a home in the 400 block of W. Division Street in Dowagiac when Enboden and his co-defendant, Jami Cabana, broke into the victim’s home and robbed and assaulted him. Cabana had been staying at the home and was mad at the victim when he told her to leave. Cabana was sentenced to prison last month.

“You beat up and robbed [the victim],” Cass Circuit Judge Mark Herman said Friday in court. “You struck him in the face and knocked him down. You put a bag over his head while she ransacked the home. He had abrasions and bruises and had to go to a nursing home for rehabilitation. Now he is no longer able to walk.”

“This is a terrible assault on an elderly man,” said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle. “[The victim] has been trying to help others in the community. He didn’t deserve this. Ms. Cabana moved in with him and tried to take advantage. Mr. Enboden threw a bag over his face and continued to beat him. … He is a danger to the community.”

Defense attorney Robert Drake did not minimize his client’s actions, but said it was Cabana who devised the plan to rob Bromley.

Enboden apologized for his actions and asked for help with his drug addiction.

In other sentencings:

• A homeless man who broke into a hunting cabin in Calvin Township in late 2017 and stole several items is going to prison.

Brandon Devault McNeill, 31, pleaded guilty to nine larceny and breaking and entering related charges and was sentenced to four concurrent terms of six to 10 years in prison. He was given credit for time served, 467 days, on five other charges. He must pay $2,652 in fines and costs and $14,300 in restitution.

McNeill was sentenced to prison for larceny over $20,000, conspiracy to commit larceny over $20,000, breaking and entering a building with intent to commit larceny and conspiracy to commit breaking and entering a building.

He was given credit for time served for two counts of malicious destruction of property over $1,000 and less than $20,000, two counts of unlawful driving away of an automobile and one count of larceny in a building. Nearly two dozen other felony counts as well as being charged as habitual offender were dismissed.

The incident occurred Dec. 16, 2017, in the 60000 block of Chain Lake Street near Vandalia. McNeill and two co-defendants, Taylor Overton and Peter Wharton, stole numerous items including weapons, tools and all terrain vehicles.

Defense attorney Gregory Feldman said he hoped McNeill can get help for his drug addiction in prison and also get education, counseling and learn a trade so he can put his life back together when he gets out.

• A Dowagiac man on parole who was caught in possession of drugs was sentenced to a year in jail as part of a plea agreement.

Annise Lamont Nickens, 45, pleaded guilty to possession of analogues as a habitual offender and was sentenced to 365 days in jail and $1,548 in fines and costs. He has credit for no days served, although he has been in jail for six months as he is on parole from 2011 prison sentences for larceny and home invasion.

The incident occurred Nov. 1, 2018, at a home on Third Avenue in Dowagiac.

Judge Herman urged Nickens to turn his life around. Both he and Nickens spoke of how Judge Herb Phillipson had sent Nickens to Boystown when he was a youth in hopes of helping him change his life.

“At 45, this must be getting old to you,” Herman said. “Judge Phillipson is looking down from heaven wanting you to do well.”

• A Nappanee man found selling drugs in the Taco Bell parking lot in Edwardsburg will spend the next year in jail.

Dane Michael Bradberry, 46, of Nappanee, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 365 days in jail with credit for 42 days served. He must pay $1,608 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Aug. 3, 2018, in Ontwa Township when he was seen selling drugs in the Taco Bell parking lot. He was found with a syringe, scales and a gun when police stopped him.