By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
NILES, MI – Three area residents were sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles Courthouse including a man who robbed a Berrien Springs gas station last fall.
Joshua Michael Bevans, 40, of Berrien Springs, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and fleeing and eluding police and was sentenced to 10 years to 38 years in prison on the armed robbery count and credit for 288 days served on the fleeing and eluding count. He must pay a $326 in fines and costs and $740 in restitution.
The incident occurred Sept. 14, 2025 when he robbed the BP gas station in Berrien Springs. Bevans was armed with a handgun and fired it past the employee in the gas station before leaving the gas station.
He was spotted in his vehicle at Speedway gas station in Berrien Springs a few hours later and fled from police when they approached him. He drove into the river at the end of South Main Street and was apprehended and taken to jail.
Berrien County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Cortney O’Malley-Septoski asked for the 10 year sentence. “This was an extremely serious offense,” she said. “He shot off a round during the robbery and then led police on a chase before crashing into the river.”
Defense attorney Carrie Briseno said Bevans is extremely remorseful about his actions that day. She noted that Bevans’ previous record included only misdemeanors.
“The offense variables are high in this case due to the psychological impact on the victim with the use and discharge of his gun,” Briseno said. “This is something I don’t believe is indicative of his character. I’m not exactly sure what was going on but he had been under psychological care and had had a problem with his medication just prior to this incident.”
“I want to say how sorry I am; this was totally out of character for me,” Bevans said. “I’m glad no one was hurt.”
Berrien County Trial Court Judge Gordon Hosbein noted that while no one was physically hurt, the victim has suffered long term emotional and psychological harm.
“I have to take all of that into account,” the judge said. “Maybe it is an anomaly of your character but these were serious, serious actions that put a lot of people at risk.”
Also Monday, two other area residents received prison terms.
Bruce Allen Benson, Jr., 26, of Eau Claire, pleaded guilty to attempted second degree child abuse and domestic violence and was sentenced to 18 months to five years in prison on the child abuse count and credit for 116 days in jail on the domestic violence count. He must pay $248 in fines and costs with restitution to be determined.
The incident occurred Oct. 24, 2025 at a residence on Main Street in Eau Claire. A four year old at the home was rushed to the hospital after ingesting both amphetamines and methamphetamine.
Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Myrene Koch noted that the child was made violently sick by ingesting the drugs and was in the hospital for a long period of time. Koch said the child still has ongoing medical appointments.
Briseno said Benson admitted to leaving the prescription drug on a table but that another person left the meth lying around. She called what happened “a horrible thing” but that Benson wasn’t the only one involved.
Judge Hosbein noted that there was “significant harm” caused to the child whether Benson or someone else left the meth within reach of the child. He also questioned Benson’s past statements that appeared to acknowledge knowledge of the meth.
“This is one of those terrifying consequences of having drugs in the home. Children will find the drugs if they’re not locked up. What you do to yourself is your own business, but it’s disturbing to me when something happens to a four year old.”
James Joshua Charles Carter, 40, of South Bend, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 19 months to 10 years in prison with credit for 104 days served. He must pay $258 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred Jan. 2 in Niles Township when police stopped his car at U.S. 12 and South Third Street and discovered meth in the vehicle.