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NILES — A Niles man is going back to prison after being sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.

Dustin Michael Dokey, 38, of Niles, pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon by a prohibited person and was sentenced to 14 months to five years in prison with credit for two days served. He must forfeit the weapon and pay $198 in fines and costs. The sentence will be consecutive to any parole violation sentence.

      He also pleaded guilty to illegal entry and attempted resisting and obstructing police and was given sentences of credit for two days served and $250 in fines and costs.

      The incident occurred March 4 in Berrien Township.

      Dokey was released on parole Sept. 24, 2024 from 2023 sentences for possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of methamphetamine. He also had a 2019 sentence for third degree fleeing and eluding and a 2017 sentence for attempted assault by strangulation or suffocation.

      Dokey’s attorney said that while he has always been polite and well spoken with her, he appears to have problems with impulse control. 

“I don’t think he has malice in his heart,” she said. “He was fooled by his companions that this was an abandoned house.”

      She noted that Dokey was found hiding under some clothes when police arrived and they then found a gun under the seat of his car.

      Dokey apologized for his actions. 

“I’m sorry for what happened,” he said. “I’m trying to move on with my life.”