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NILES – A Niles man was given probation for theft and drug charges in a sentencing Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.

      Michael Witt, 58, of Niles, pleaded guilty to second degree retail fraud and second offense use of methamphetamine and was sentenced on the meth charge to two years probation, 120 days in jail with credit for 74 days served, completion of the Twin County Probation program and $658 in fines and costs.

      Witt can serve the remainder of the jail term at Twin County. He was also given credit for time served, 74 days, and $125 in fines and costs on the retail fraud charge.

      The incident occurred Jan. 31 at the Martin’s Supermarket store in Niles.

      Witt argued unsuccessfully to be able to do a different treatment program rather than Twin County. He said he had completed a program at Sacred Heart in Berrien Township previously and he wanted to go back there.

      Witt said he does not do well in large group therapy sessions and feared that would be what he would have at Twin County rather than the small group sessions he was involved in at Sacred Heart. He called it “punishment” to have to go to Twin County.

      Berrien County Trial Court Judge Gordon Hosbein disagreed.

“I understand where you’re coming from but rehabilitation by definition is not punishment,” he said. “How do you know you will not like Twin County? Do you think you can try it and change your attitude?”

      The probation officer in attendance at the sentencing said he has seen people successfully complete Twin County and is not familiar with Sacred Heart.

      Judge Hosbein said he was concerned that while Witt considered his previous time at Sacred Heart to be a success to get him off opiates, he ended up starting to use meth after that experience. He said he will reconsider his decision if Twin County does not work out for Witt.