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NILES — A Niles man was sentenced to prison for his seventh drunk driving-related conviction Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

Michael Duane Carroll, 38, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving and was sentenced to 24 months to five years in prison. He has credit for 149 days already served and must pay $1,618 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred in December, 2024 on U.S. 12. His blood alcohol level was found to be .203, more than twice the legal limit. This was his seventh drunk driving related conviction. He also faces other charges in Indiana.

Assistant Prosecutor Myrene Koch noted that Carroll tried to force his passenger to shift seats in the car to avoid taking responsibility for driving drunk.

Defense attorney Daniel French said that Carroll regrets his actions and blames much of his problems on mental health issues, childhood trauma and an attack by his father earlier last year. He said Carroll had been into mental health court. Carroll said he had turned to substance abuse after what he suffered at the hands of his father and is seeking help.

Berrien County Trial Court Judge Gordon Hosbein said that while he recognized Carroll’s mental health issues, he also had to take the community’s safety into consideration. “The problem I have is that this is your seventh drunk driving conviction,” he said. “You put the community in extreme danger.”

Troy Anthony Coon, 45, of Nashville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to attempted safebreaking and receiving, concealing or possession of stolen property $1,000 to $20,000 was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 12 months to five years in prison, credit for 69 days served and $326 in fines and costs. Restitution will be determined at a later date.

The incident occurred Aug. 4, 2023 in Niles Township.

“I made a huge mistake, I violated the trust of my family and I broke the law,” Coon said. “I’m trying to do the right thing. I understand there will be some consequences. I’m sorry.”

Judge Hosbein noted that the plea deal in the case had reduced the guidelines from what could have been life offenses. “You will still serve prison time, but because of your remorse and the surrounding circumstances, I will sentence at the bottom of the guidelines,” he said.

Nathaniel Joseph Hamel, 35, pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery as a habitual offender and was sentenced to 48 months to 22.5 years in prison with credit for 133 days served and $258 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Dec. 12, 2023 at the Niles Wal-Mart. He also is facing charges in Indiana. According to statements made in court, Hamel was using a pellet gun to stop the person who was trying to stop him from stealing items from the store.

Briseno said that Hamel’s life took a significant downward spiral in 2023 resulting in him and his family ending up homeless. She said that he was stealing items in this incident to have money to pay for a place to stay.