By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
Court news this week includes sentencings and the setting of a preliminary hearing date for a murder suspect.
The preliminary hearing for Georgia resident Antwan Mims has set for Sept. 6
before Berrien County Trial Judge Arthur Cotter. He is charged with murder and other charges in connection with a March 25 incident in Benton Harbor that left two men dead. Mims is being held without bond.
Mims, 40, was extradited back to Michigan last month after being arrested in Georgia. He had been listed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and local, state and federal officials worked together to capture and arrest him.
In sentencings, a Buchanan man is going to prison after pleading guilty to sexually molesting two children, now ages 11 and 17.
John Edward Adcock, 41, of Red Bud Trail in Buchanan, pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree criminal sexual conduct and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced this week in Berrien County Trial Court to 23 months to five years in prison. He has credit for 60 days already served and must pay $326.
The molesting incidents occurred between Jan. 1, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2015 at a home in Buchanan Township.
One of Adcock’s victims spoke before the sentencing. The young man said he and his sister go to counseling once a week and have received therapy. “We feel betrayed, neglected and abused,” he said. “He should have as much time in jail as possible.”
The young man vowed to make something of his life. “I am determined not to let him control my life,” he said.
Berrien County Trial Judge Charles LaSata applauded the youth for his determination. “You have a lot of issues to work through but you can do it,” he said.
He noted that it’s a misconception that those who have been abused as children grow up to become abusers. “Studies have shown it’s a fallacy,” he said. “Abusers make up that they’ve been abused in the past to minimize and excuse their behavior.”
Assistant Prosecutor Cortney O’Malley said the two young victims have been “amazingly strong” throughout the process. The initial disclosure of Adcock’s conduct came over two years ago and it took more than a year after that before charges were filed.
Adcock said he was ashamed of his actions. “I made poor choices, I’m sorry, it will never happen again,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter how remorseful you are, this will have a significant impact on the children,” he said. “You were originally charged with a life offense, you’re very fortunate that this all worked out this way.”
Adcock was originally charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with the victim under 13 and the defendant over 17, one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with the victim under 13 and the defendant over 17 and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The first-degree CSC charges carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Two south county residents were sentenced to jail on weapon and home invasion charges.
Jessie Ryan Jerue, 29, of Cecil Street in Buchanan, pleaded guilty to third-degree home
invasion and domestic violence and was sentenced to two years probation, 90 days in jail and $1,811 in fines, costs and restitution. He can serve the last 45 days on tether.
The incident occurred May 31 at a home in Galien where he broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home and assaulted her.
Richard Allen Pedrotti, 59, of Old Walton Road in Buchanan, pleaded guilty to attempted carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to 18 months probation and $838. He must forfeit the weapon which was a gun a family member had brought back from the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
The incident occurred July 17 when he was stopped on the U.S. 31 freeway in Niles Township. He was carrying a gun which he mistakenly thought was legal to do.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.