GEORGIA MAN LOCATED AND ARRESTED FOR TWO MARCH MURDERS IN BENTON HARBOR

By DEBRA HAIGHT

BCR Correspondent

This week’s court news includes the arrest of a Georgia man for the March 25 murders of two people in Benton Harbor and sentencings in Berrien County Trial Court and Cass County Circuit Court.

Berrien County law enforcement officials announced last week that Antwan Mims

was captured at a residence in Georgia. Mims 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.

Mims is wanted for the March 25 murders of Cortez Lamont Miller and Michael Canthrell Johnson while they were attending a house party on Lavette Street in Benton Harbor.  He is charged with two counts of first degree premeditated murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and two felony weapons counts.

“When a wanted felon like Mims is placed on the FBI Ten Most Wanted List, his world becomes smaller as that bright spotlight is shined upon him. Couple that with determined Federal, State, and Local investigators, his life on the run ends with him in handcuffs,” said FBI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Slater.

The FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list was established in March of 1950. Mims was the 519th person to be placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, the 486th captured, and the 9th Ten Most Wanted Fugitive arrested in the state of Georgia.

In Berrien County Trial Court, two area men were sentenced to prison on assault and drug charges.

Lovell McLeod, 40, of North Sixth Street in Niles, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced this week to 16 months to four years in prison. He has credit for 123 days served and must pay $258 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred April 5 on Walton Road in Niles Township when he attacked Allen Robertson with a crow bar and also broke out a car window.

Jason Charles Wyatt, 46, of Owens Street in Niles, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house and was sentenced to two to 10 years in prison on the meth charge and credit for 53 days served on the drug house charge. He must pay $266 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Oct. 6, 2015 at the Owens Street residence in Niles Township.

Also in Berrien County Trial Court, a St. Joseph man pleaded guilty in connection with a March accident on U.S. 12 in Bertrand Township that later killed a South Bend man.

Justin Clark Hardt, 41, of Lions Park Drive in St. Joseph, pleaded guilty last week to a misdemeanor charge of moving violation causing death. That charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail. He will be sentenced Aug. 14.

The police report indicated that Hardt’s garbage truck hit a mini-van was driven by Arnold Lancaster, 56, of South Bend. Hardt’s clipping of the mini-van sent it into the rear of the semi-tractor trailer stopped in front of him. Lancaster had to be extricated using the Jaws of Life. He died several days later on March 25 from the injuries he suffered.

In Cass Circuit Court, two area residents were given prison sentences.

Debra Deanne McDaniel, 37, of Barron Lake Road in Niles, pleaded guilty to second-

degree home invasion and was sentenced last Friday to three to 15 years in prison. She must also pay at least $8,700 in restitution as well as $2,048 in fines and costs. She has credit for 183 days already served. More restitution of over $18,000 could be ordered later.

McDaniel was given credit for time served, 183 days, for three other felonies: conspiracy to commit larceny of a firearm, unlawful driving away of an automobile and larceny in a building. She must pay $204 in connection with those charges.

The incident occurred Jan. 1 at a home on Wilbur Hill Road near Dowagiac. McDaniel and her co-defendant, Michael Hatch, broke into the unoccupied home and stole guns, jewelry, a chain saw and a Chevrolet Silverado. Hatch took a plea deal earlier and will be sentenced later this month. The two were caught due to a home security camera.

Troy Dwayne Burks, 53, of South Front Street in Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to third offense domestic violence as a habitual offender and was sentenced to a prison term of two years four months to seven and a half years. He has credit for 95 days already served and must pay $2,048 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred April 3, 2017 at a home on Grove Street in Dowagiac. A witness told police Burks had slapped and spit on his wife.