CASSOPOLIS – A Sturgis man with a long criminal history was sentenced to prison Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Charles Daniel Holmes, 39, of Sturgis, pleaded guilty to possession of meth, possession of contraband in the jail and possession of heroin and was sentenced to three to 15 years in prison on the meth charge and two terms of two to six years in prison on the other two. The three sentences are concurrent.

Holmes has credit for no days served as he was on parole at the time of his arrest in this case. He must pay $1,684 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Dec. 1 when he was arrested on M-60 east of Cassopolis after shoplifting at the Family Dollar in Cassopolis. A search of his car as well as his person found drugs and drug items.

“He has a very lengthy criminal history of concerning convictions,” Cass Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Hubbert said as he asked for a sentence at the top of the guidelines.

Defense attorney Robert Drake asked for a sentence at the low end of the guidelines.

For his part, Holmes said he had a “horrible addiction.” “I’ve been honest about my crimes,” he said. “I’ve been trying to fix myself on my own and was looking for an opportunity to get help.”

Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman noted that Holmes has been using drugs since 1994 and absconded from parole in 2017. Holmes’ past record includes drug and assault convictions.

“You say you need someone to teach you how to act,” the judge said. “How many times do you have to be incarcerated or arrested before you learn. You’ve only had one job in your life and that lasted three months. Working is a sign of being a responsible adult.”

Judge Herman gave a homeless man with ties to Cass County the chance to turn his life around on probation rather than prison.

James Alan Savidge Jr., 40, pleaded guilty to receiving, concealing and possession of a stolen vehicle and fleeing police, both as a habitual offender, and was sentenced to five years’ probation in the Swift & Sure program at the Twin County Probation Center, credit for 89 days served and $2,848 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Dec. 15 when Elkhart police reported a stolen vehicle. Savidge was arrested after a 32-mile chase on both sides of the state line where speeds reached up to 80 miles per hour. He was arrested after he ran out of gas on Calvin Center Road in Penn Township.

“I’m going to give my all to turning my life around, I ask you to give me a shot,” Savidge said.

Judge Herman noted that he received two recommendations, one for prison and one for the Swift & Sure program.

“This is the most extensive juvenile record I’ve ever seen,” he said. “Most juveniles can’t commit 24 crimes. You did and started at age 10. … You’re 40 years old and been in the criminal justice system for 30 years.”

“Your life is a train wreck,” he added. “The guidelines call for prison and I think your record warrants that but the judge in Indiana believes you can change. Prison isn’t a threat, you’ve been there. … I’m going to give you an opportunity on Swift & Sure but this is your last chance.”

Levi Laney Jordan, 28, of W. State Street in Vandalia, pleaded guilty to resisting and obstructing police and was sentenced to seven months in jail with credit for 103 days served and $1,548 in fines and costs. His jail term can be served in any correctional facility as he faces charges in Indiana.

The incident occurred Dec. 1 on M-60 in Vandalia when he fled from police after the car he was a passenger in was stopped for a traffic violation.

Griffin Matthew Liska, 21, of Middle Crossing Road in Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to unlawful driving away of an automobile and fleeing police and was sentenced to three years’ probation, credit for 99 days already served and $2,688 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Dec. 5 when Liska stole his ex-girlfriend’s car in Dowagiac. He refused to pull over and eventually wrecked the car at Railroad and Telegraph streets in Dowagiac.