By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS - An Indiana man who was driving through Edwardsburg was so drunk he thought he was in LaPorte.
Friday morning in Cass County Circuit Court, 34-year-old Calvin Hostetler of 2109 Prairie Avenue, South Bend, Ind. went to jail for 180 days and received two years of probation on a conviction of third-offense operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Circuit Judge Michael Dodge recounted it was Feb. 20 when Ontwa Township-Edwardsburg police observed that Hostetler was traveling much too fast for snowy conditions and in a reckless manner. The police had received motorists' complaints about him. While going through town, he almost hit a vehicle stopped at a red light.
Police found him to be driving with a blood alcohol level tested at .18 percent. Dodge said he had no idea where he was and thought he was in LaPorte.
Dodge imposed a probation supervision fee of $960, $920 in court costs and a fine of $500.
In additional sentencings:
Another Indiana resident was arrested on June 1, 2002, on M-205 in Edwardsburg on a conviction of obtaining personal identity information without authority. Tamara Burkhead, 41, 1730 Strong Avenue, Elkhart, Ind. received 210 days in jail and two years of probation when she assisted her ex-boyfriend in stealing identification from her ex-husband, Gary Burkhead. Dodge said she used his identity to open a bank account and forged checks to obtain money to buy methamphetamine. Over $1,000 was forged in Burkhead's name. The victim's credit rating was ruined which takes a long time to correct, Dodge noted. He said she has prior felony convictions.
Dodge allowed Burkhead to serve her sentence alternately at the KPEP program for women. If she fails the program, she is to come back and complete her jail time. She was ordered to pay $470 in court costs and restitution of $1,292.
In other sentencings on Friday:
Justin Brooks, 18, 58430 M-62, Cassopolis, got 120 days jail and 18 months probation for third-offense fleeing an officer and credit for 52 days served for driving without a license on Feb. 15 on Pokagon Street in Dowagiac. Prosecutor Victor Fitz said this was serious and involved driving stolen property. Dodge said on Feb. 15 Dowagiac police attempted to stop Brooks when he took off at a high rate of speed. He then ditched his vehicle and took off on foot. Officers apprehended him and discovered he had no license and had purchased the vehicle for $500. There were no papers to show ownership, Dodge said, noting he created a hazard on the highway. He is to pay $180 probation costs, $920 in court costs and a $350 fine.
Also sentenced to 150 days in jail was Victor Mabus, 19, of High Street Dowagiac. It was Dec. 16 when Mabus knocked down Anthony Bozman and kicked him with steel-toed boots for Bozman's accusation that he was involved in the breaking and entering of the Save-A-Lot on North Front Street, Dowagiac, and stealing a safe on Nov. 28. Dodge told Mabus on his conviction of retaliating against a witness that it was wrong. You shouldn't take the law in your own hand. You needed to let the system run it's course in dealing with Mr. Bozman," he said.
Bozman is serving one year in jail for his part in the Save-A-Lot break in. Dodge said the prosecutor is recommending prison. He said his guideline range of 5 to 23 months takes this into account.
Prosecutor Victor Fitz said it didn't look well for the future and Mabus needs to be incarcerated for a significant period of time. He has a past record, Fitz said.
Defense Attorney Dale Blunier said there is a change in his behavior. He asked for probation to be served at the Twin County Probation Center. He said he believes he has drug problems behind him.
Dodge said he has looked at his past criminal record and does not believe prison is advisable and sentenced him at the low end of the guideline range. "He (Bozman) lied and tried to put the blame on you," he said before imposing the jail term and costs of $120. He was given credit for 44 days served.