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CASSOPOLIS — A Mishawaka man will have the chance to keep a felony drunk driving conviction off his record if he’s successful on probation for the next year.

Robert Justin Loomis, 47, of Mishawaka, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving under a delayed sentencing provision and was sentenced Friday in Cass County Circuit Court to probation, credit for one day served and $2,063 in fines, costs and restitution.

He will be back in court Nov. 1, 2024 and will see the charge reduced to second offense drunk driving if he is successful on probation between now and then.

The incident occurred July 29, 2022 when he crashed his motorcycle at Conrad and Yankee Streets in Howard Township. His blood alcohol level was .154, nearly twice the legal limit.

Judge Herman noted that without the delayed sentencing agreement, Loomis would likely have been sentenced to prison. “You said you had six years of sobriety before this incident and now you say you are super focused on your sobriety,” he said. “I hope you appreciate that you could put other people besides yourself in danger.”

Two other people received probation sentences.

Sena Marie Hargreaves, 32, of Watervliet, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to two years probation under the Holmes Youthful Training Act, credit for two days served and $2,328 in fines and costs. The felony will be kept off her record if she is successful on probation.

The incident occurred Jan. 31, 2023 on Indian Lake Road near Middle Crossing in Dowagiac. This was her first criminal offense.

Randy Jo Means, 44, of Cassopolis, pleaded guilty to possession of meth as a habitual offender and was placed on three years probation in the Swift & Sure Program and $2,628 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Jan. 15, 2022 in Edwardsburg.

Fitz noted that Means has 13 prior convictions, 10 of them felonies. Means had just gotten out of prison five months before this incident.

Defense attorney Greg Feldman said that he believes the Swift & Sure program will give Means the tools he needs to change his life. He noted that Means has been in jail for several months without getting credit for that time.