By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

While getting ready for a date with his girlfriend, Earnest Fowler Jr., 20, chose one accessory that was more felonious than fashionable.
Fowler was sentenced Monday by Berrien County Trial Court Judge Scott Schofield to 30 days in jail, to be followed by a term of two years probation.
Fowler told Schofield that prior to getting ready for a date with his girlfriend, he got dressed, spoke with his cousin and then grabbed his weapon — a loaded, semi automatic 9 millimeter handgun — tucking it into his waistband.
“So that is part of the process to get ready for the evening?” Schofield asked. “Get dressed, talk to your cousin and get your weapon?
“Why on earth would you do that?” he said.
Fowler answered that he kept the gun on him for protection.
The charges facing the Niles man of possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle is a two-year felony offense.
“That is just behavior that cannot be tolerated in this community,” Schofield said. “And what concerns me or frightens me is it just seems to be a matter of course for the evening.”
Prosecutor Mary Malesky described Fowler as a good candidate for probation. Schofield sentenced Fowler to two years probation and 90 days on tether following time served of 30 days in jail. He was also sentenced to 100 hours of community service, state and county fees and costs of $1,690 and Schofield ordered the gun, currently in the possession of the Niles City Police Department, forfeited to the Michigan State Police.
“It is very, very serious for someone to be carrying a loaded gun out in this community, sir,” Schofield said. “It is unacceptable.”
Fowler apologized for his actions and said he was hoping “to grow from this” and prepare to be a father to his child, due later this year.