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CASSOPOLIS — Three area residents were sentenced Friday in Cass County Circuit Court at the Cass County Law & Courts Building.

Benjamin David Kamp, 43, of Elkhart, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine/ecstasy and was sentenced to three years probation, 365 days in jail with credit for four days served and $2,628 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Sept. 30, 2024 in Newberg Township near Jones. Kamp fled from police on his motorcycle on M-60, then M-140 before turning onto Born Street at speeds of 100 miles per hour or more. Police found meth in his pocket when he was stopped.

Defense attorney Robert Drake said Kamp has a number of health problems and is undergoing medical tests. He asked Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman not to impose the jail term.

For his part, Kamp said his health has gotten worse and that he’s quit smoking.

Judge Herman noted that this was Kamp’s 14th felony conviction and that he also has had 13 misdemeanor convictions. “You and I are no strangers,” he told Kamp. “You ran from police and you’ve done this before. You always throw caution to the wind and with your health and everything else, it has now come back to haunt you.”

He said that while the advisory guidelines call for a prison term, he agreed with the prosecutor and the defense attorney to give Kamp probation and jail given his health issues. “Probation is important to keep you on tract with your medical appointments,” he said. “But if you continue to violate, they do have hospitals in prison.”

“Why are you still using meth and acting the fool?” the judge asked. “Is that how little concern you have for your two year old child and your older children? Do you ever intend to grow up? It’s time for you to grow up. I told you before that fleeing from police could cause a prison sentence, you put yourself, the police and the public in danger.”

“I will go ahead and put the ball in your court,” he said. “You have one last opportunity to avoid prison. It’s time to grow up. The next time police tell you to stop, stop. If you ever flee police again, you will go to prison. It’s time to stop putting yourself and others in danger.”

Jeremy Roberts, 43, of Bristol, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to three years probation in the Adult Treatment Court, completion of the Twin County Probation program, credit for 66 days served and $2,628 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Jan. 17, 2025 in Cassopolis when police found a glass meth pipe and meth during a traffic stop. Roberts has 10 prior felony convictions, six for illegal drugs. He also served a short prison sentence in Indiana and was discharged in 2022.

“You previously successfully completed the ATC program in 2018 in St. Joseph County (Michigan),” Judge Herman said. “I’m less than impressed that you completed that and then was convicted of burglary in Indiana and served prison time.”

Roberts told the judge that he’s “sick and tired” of his lifestyle and wants to get away from drugs.

“I will give you this opportunity but I don’t have a lot of patience,” the judge said. “You need to get engaged and involved. If you’re unsuccessful, you will be going back to prison. I hope you take this opportunity seriously. We’re here to help you, it’s a matter of whether you step up to the plate.”

A Cass County man was sentenced to probation for failing to pay his child support.

Kristopher Moorman, 45, was convicted by a Cass County jury March 18 and was sentenced Friday to three years probation, credit for 19 days served, $2,628 in fines and costs and $11,245 in restitution.

The mother of Moorman’s daughter spoke before sentencing and said that non-payment of child support is not a victimless crime and that her daughter will be the one to suffer if Moorman continues to not pay support.

Judge Herman noted that he has sent people to prison for non-payment in the past but that he wants Moorman to continue to work and pay his arrearage. He pointed out that any new conviction will raise the mandatory minimum sentence to 10 months in jail.