By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
NILES, MI – Several area residents have been sentenced to prison in Berrien County Trial Court action at the Niles courthouse this month.
Michael Alexander Bentley, 25, pleaded no contest to first-degree criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to 12 years to 53 years in prison. He has credit for 214 days served, must pay $258 in fines and costs and must register as a sex offender. The incident occurred in January 2020 and the victim’s mother spoke before sentencing and said that the incident had not only greatly affected her daughter but the rest of the family. Judge Hosbein said the sentencing guidelines of 42-70 months were too low. He cited the psychological and physical damage the victim has suffered, the fear and anxiety the girl and her siblings have suffered and indications that Bentley was grooming her as substantial and compelling reasons for him to deviate from the guidelines.
Earl Kenyotta Bostic, 55, pleaded guilty to delivery/manufacture of meth and ecstasy and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person–both as a habitual offender–and was sentenced to concurrent prison terms of 13-40 years and 14 months to 5 years respectively. He must pay $266 in fines and costs. He has credit for 131 days already served and must forfeit the weapon.
The incident occurred July 30 in Niles. He was found with meth, cocaine, fentanyl and ecstasy. Bostic said his prior attorney had told him that the guidelines would likely call for a sentence of 29-57 months in prison, and he wouldn’t have pleaded guilty with the higher guidelines. Judge Hosbein reminded Bostic that he had been told the maximum sentence. The judge also pointed out that Bostic’s previous attorney had been able to get 6 other felony charges dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Richard Eugene Carter, 34, pleaded guilty to 2 counts of second offense delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 12-40 years in prison and $266 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred Aug. 27 in Niles when he sold drugs to an undercover police officer. His sentencing guidelines were doubled since it was a second offense. This sentence will be consecutive to any sanction he receives for violating his parole, which started July 16, 2024. Judge Hosbein said, “Based on that history and your inability to learn and change your ways, I will sentence you to prison but give you a sentence at the bottom of the guidelines.”
April Nichole King, 34, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 15 months to 10 years in prison. She was ordered to pay $198 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred Oct. 16 in Niles. This sentence will be consecutive to any sanction she receives for violating her parole. Her parole had started April 15, 2025.
Judge Hosbein said he was concerned that King had just been released on parole when this incident happen. “I am going to stay within the guidelines but you will do time in prison,” he said. “I have to protect the community when there is recidivism with the same crimes committed.”
Gregory Allen Rhodes II, 32, pleaded guilty to second offense aggravated domestic violence and was sentenced to 14 months to five years in prison. He has credit for 124 days served and must pay $258 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred Aug. 13 in Niles when he assaulted his mother.
Defense attorney Shayne Williams said Rhodes’ mother has said that Rhodes has substance abuse issues and hope he gets treatment while he is incarcerated.
Rachel Lynn Weiser, 42, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamines and was sentenced to 15 months to 10 years in prison. She has credit for 67 days already served and must pay $198 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred Sept. 22 in Niles Township. Judge Hosbein said that he had the choice of incarceration or rehabilitation. “Rehabilitation is available to those who want to take advantage of it,” he said. “You have been given that previously, and I don’t know if anything will change if you got probation again. You have run out of options.”
Heinz Emil Zielke, 49, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving and was sentenced to 15 months to 5 years in prison. He has credit for 64 days already served and must pay $1,618 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred July 4 in Berrien Township. His blood alcohol level was .272, more than three times the legal limit. This was actually his sixth conviction for drunk driving.