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NILES — A Niles woman was sentenced to probation and jail on weapon and drunk driving charges in Berrien County Trial Court Monday at the Niles courthouse.

      Karla Oshay Menefee, 39, of Niles, pleaded guilty to possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and operating with a high blood alcohol content and was sentenced to two years probation, 20 days in jail with credit for two days served, 180 days tether, 100 hours of community service and $618 in fines and costs.

      The incident occurred March 19 in Niles.

      She also pleaded guilty to contempt of court for violating her bond condition to not drink alcohol and was given a concurrent jail term of 20 days with credit for two days served.

      Defense attorney Shayne Williams said that Menefee was storing the weapon in her car as her 15 year old stepson cannot be around guns. Williams noted that Menefee’s only prior conviction was in 2013 for drunk driving.

      “This is your second offense as an adult for drinking and driving,” Berrien County Trial Court Judge Gordon Hosbein said. “Your first offense was very similar to this. I don’t care if you drink, but don’t get in a car.”

      Judge Hosbein said that Menefee was charged with drunk driving and reckless driving back in 2013. “You’re a dangerous person on the road,” he told her. “The firearm could be a lapse, I’m not as concerned about that. My main concern is your drinking and driving. You’re going to hurt somebody some day and I don’t want that to happen.”

      The judge said he feared that Menefee has likely driven drunk other times but just not gotten caught. “It’s likely you’ve done this more and only been caught twice,” he aid. “I don’t know if you’re learned your lesson.”

      In another sentencing, an Elkhart man will have the chance to keep a felony off his record if he’s successful on probation.

      Caleb Charles Howell, 23, of Elkhart, pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle and was sentenced to 18 months probation under the Holmes Youthful Training Act, credit for three days served, 20 hours community service and $618 in fines and costs.

      The incident occurred Feb. 3 in Niles Township. The sentence won’t be on his record if he is successful on probation.

      Howell apologized for his actions. “I’m sorry for breaking the law,” he said. “I know ignorance is no defense, but this won’t happen again.”

      Judge Hosbein noted that the court sees a lot of cases like this due to being so close to the border.