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NILES — A former Buchanan High School janitor was sentenced to prison in Berrien County Trial Court for criminal sexual conduct against an underage girl earlier this year.

      Jameson Nickolas DeCarlo, 24, of Buchanan, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to 35 months to 15 years in prison with credit for 123 days served. He must register as a sex offender and must pay $258 in fines and costs.

      The incident occurred Jan. 29 against a 15 year old girl at a location in Buchanan. DeCarlo worked as a janitor at the high school for several months in 2024.

      Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Myrene Koch noted that the victim was 15 at the time of the incident and said she sent pictures of herself unclothed to DeCarlo. Koch pointed out that DeCarlo could have faced additional charges of distribution of child sexually abusive materials and accosting a minor.

      Defense attorney Carri Briseno said DeCarlo had had time to reflect on his actions.

“He has had time to reflect and accept responsibility for his actions,” she said. “He pleaded guilty as charged and didn’t ask for a reduction. He plans to use his time in prison to reflect on his life, continue his education and get counseling.”

      Briseno asked for a sentence at the bottom of the sentencing guidelines. The guidelines, which are advisory and not mandatory, called for a sentence of between 21 months and 35 months.

      “I want to apologize to the victim and to the court,” DeCarlo said. “If I could, I would go back and change what I did but I have to live with the consequences.”

      Berrien County Trial Court Judge Gordon Hosbein noted the age of the victim and the fact that DeCarlo was an employee of the high school. He said that he believed that a sentence at the top of the guidelines was a proportionate sentence.