COURT NEWS UPDATE

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent

NILES – A number of area residents have been sentenced recently in Berrien County Trial Court. Proceedings for the most part are once again held in person at both the Niles and St. Joseph courthouses after months of restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, the former partner in a Niles marijuana business was sentenced to jail and probation on criminal sexual conduct charges.

Michael Eugene Heskett, 51, of Niles, pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and was

sentenced to five years probation, 120 days in jail and credit for two days served, registration as a sex offender for 25 years and $3,015 in fines, costs and restitution.

Three other charges dismissed as part of the plea agreement. The charges dismissed were delivery of a controlled substance to a minor-a 40 year felony, aggravated child sexual abusive activity-a 25 year felony and prostitution/engaging the services of a minor-a five year felony.

The prostitution/engaging the services of a minor charge was reduced to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. The latter charge carried a maximum penalty of two years in prison and is considered a high court misdemeanor.

Heskett had been a partner in the HDS Investments marijuana grow facility at Lake and 13^th Streets on the city’s northeast side. He left the business in August 2020 after state Marijuana Regulatory Agency officials indicated that his involvement in the operation would be a hindrance to the company getting a state license.

The victim went to police in January, 2020 and reported that Heskett had given her crack cocaine, powder cocaine and marijuana in late 2019. She said that he forced her to have sexual relations with him and take photographs and videos of herself. Police reported that a search of her cell phone found evidence of the photographs and videos.

The victim spoke before sentencing. She said she had gone from being a happy, outgoing high school student to someone ashamed of herself and deeply sad because of Heskett’s actions. “I lost an entire year of school and going to prom,” she said. “I was preparing for trial instead of preparing for my graduation.”

Berrien County Trial Judge Sterling Schrock noted that Heskett has admitted under oath to sexual conduct with the victim who was 16 at the time of the incident, despite any denials made by him or others on social media.

“I do not think that a crime of this nature given the totality of the circumstances can go without some sort of other punishment,” the judge said. “There was at least some element of grooming and I don’t think the age difference between a 16 year old and a 49 or 50 year old were adequately addressed.”

Also in court news, a Benton Harbor man was sentenced to prison for third offense drunk driving.

Wade Sheldon Bradley, 43, of Benton Harbor, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving and was sentenced to 18 months to five years in prison. He must pay $198 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred March 16 in Niles. Police found Bradley’s car in the middle of the street with him passed out and his foot on the brake. After being woken up, he took his foot off the brake and the car traveled a short distance before police stopped him.

Berrien County Trial Judge Sterling Schrock expressed concern over Bradley’s actions and the fact that this incident occurred while he was out on bond for an impaired driving second offense charge. He was sentenced in June on that charge to 180 days in jail. That incident also occurred in Niles.

In addition to the new drunk driving charge, Bradley also has been charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and will be sentenced in December in St. Joseph for that offense.

“Here’s my problem, you were scheduled for sentencing on the last drunk driving charge and you didn’t show up for sentencing and then committed these offenses,” the judge said. “That’s beyond the pale for me.”

“You weren’t locked up or in the hospital, this offense occurred while you were awaiting sentencing for second offense impaired driving,” he added. “You didn’t show up for that and committed another operating while impaired offense. The court can’t in all reasonableness to allow that kind of behavior to go on.”

A Niles man is going back to prison after being convicted of third offense drunk driving in Berrien County Trial Court.

Jason Hakeem Taylor, 45, of Niles, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving and was sentenced to 35

months to 10 years in prison. He has credit for one day served and must pay $198 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred on March 14 when he was stopped for drunk driving in the city of Niles. His blood alcohol level was found to be .23 which is nearly three times the legal limit.

Taylor said he had been making strides to better himself but had had a relapse.

Berrien County Trial Judge Sterling Schrock said Taylor had eight previous felony and 32 prior misdemeanor convictions.  He noted in addition that four of the eight prior felony convictions were for felony drunk driving.

“The tragedy is that neither you or anyone else figured out what you were self medicating for,” the judge said. “But there’s also a whole lot of personal choice here. When you’re self medicating with alcohol, right wrong or otherwise, you don’t get behind the wheel of a vehicle.”