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NILES — Area residents were sentenced for assault, drug and other charges Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.

      Austin Elliott-King Ross, 25, of Buchanan, pleaded guilty to assault and battery and was sentenced to 18 months probation, 15 days in jail with credit for one day served, 40 hours of community service and $645 in fines and costs.

      The incident occurred Feb. 25, 2023 in Niles. Ross had initially been charged with felony criminal sexual conduct but a Berrien County Trial Court jury deadlocked and a mistrial was declared.

      Ross’s victim spoke before sentencing. She said she had been in therapy since the incident and only goes out by herself to work or school. She said she thought it was unfair that Ross didn’t have to register as a sex offender since he pled to a misdemeanor.

“I don’t want others to go through what I did,” she said.

      Defense attorney Caleb Grimes said that Ross has taken the case very seriously and has not violated his bond during the time the case has been pending. Grimes said Ross is working two jobs and has taken responsibility for what happened.

      For his part, Ross apologized to the victim.

      Berrien County Trial Court Judge Gordon Hosbein said that it was a case where the maximum penalty is relatively minor while the offense has had a major impact on the victim.

“She will have to have therapy and deal with the rest of her life because of you and your actions,” he said.

      Steven Thomas Reeves, Jr., 32, of Niles, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to five years probation, 300 days in jail with credit for 82 days already served, 25 years on the sex offender registry and $658 in fines and costs.

      The incident occurred in September, 2024 in Niles.

      The victim and her mother both spoke before the sentencing. The victim said she felt betrayed and can’t sleep. The girl’s mother said she had trusted the man and now regrets allowing him to be around her children.

      Defense attorney Carri Briseno said Reeves has his own home and a job but could lose his home if he has to spend more time in jail. “He said he was behaving irresponsibly, he has had time to reflect on what he did during his time in custody,” she said.

      Reeves apologized for his actions.

“I’m sorry for my actions, I’m ready to move forward with my life,” he said.

      “Your actions not just affected a little girl but also the community,” Judge Hosbein said. “The most important thing I want the victim to remember is that these were not the actions of a man. This is not how a man behaves, it’s not how the vast majority of men act. This was a despicable act to take the innocence of a child.”

      Four other people were given probationary sentences Monday.

      Adam Lee Cole, 26, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine/narcotics and was sentenced to one year probation, credit for one day served and $658 in fines and costs.

      The incident occurred Feb. 13, 2023 during a traffic stop.

      Cole said he has been keeping himself busy since the incident happened and is working two jobs.

      Brian David Michael, 66, pleaded guilty to second offense drunk driving and was sentenced to 18 months probation, 240 hours of community service, 60 days in jail, 150 days tether and $1,365 in fines and costs.

      Judge Hosbein said he would hold off on the jail term to the end of Michael’s probation and might suspend it if Michael is successful on probation.

      The incident occurred Oct. 3, 2024.

      Michael said he has been keeping himself busy and works two jobs.

      Timothy Joseph Rouch, 36, pleaded guilty to use of methamphetamine and attempted carrying a concealed weapon, a knife, and was sentenced to 18 months probation, credit for 28 days served and $708 in fienes and costs.

      The incident occurred Feb. 18, 2025.

      Rhea Lynn Roberts, 32, of Niles, pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug house and possession of methamphetamine, both as second offenses, and was sentenced to two years probation, 140 days in jail with credit for 92 days served, completion of the Twin County Probation program and $726 in fines and costs.

She can serve the rest of her jail sentence at Twin County.

      The incident occurred in October, 2024 in Niles. She also faces charges in Indiana.

      Judge Hosbein recommended Roberts have a plan for her life and for maintaining her sobriety.

“The question is if your kids are enough to keep you sober, they weren’t enough prior to this,” the judge said. “Now you’re saying you can do this. You have all these aspirations but no plan or steps to take.”