By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – Larry Robinson, 57, of 53998 84th Ave., Dowagiac, continues to appear before Cass County Circuit Judge Michael E. Dodge's bench.
"We know each other well," Dodge said. "That's not a good thing.
"It's bad enough you drink, but you continue to insist on driving motor vehicles," he told Robinson, who uses a wheelchair due to an injury from a 1980 motorcycle accident.
On Dec. 4, 2006, by the Manor on W. Railroad in Dowagiac, Robinson hit another vehicle in the parking lot, fled, then claimed he wasn't driving, said Dodge. His blood alcohol was almost twice the legal limit, at .15, Dodge added.
"He was been caught a number of times," drinking and driving, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jason Ronning said. "How many times was he not caught?" he questioned.
"You don't learn your lesson," Dodge said. "You were in the same situation twice before and the court bent over backwards."
Robinson apologized for his "insanity. I am tired of doing stupid things. I have a problem with alcohol," he admitted. "I need help. I never want to touch another drink."
With guidelines of zero to 21 months, Doge sentenced Robinson to 18 months to five years in the Michigan Department of Corrections, with credit for 10 days.
He is to pay a $450 court costs, $60 Crime Victim fee, $60 state costs and a $500 fine.
In other sentencings Friday:
Andres Rocha, 33, was sentenced for delivering and manufacturing from 5 to 45 kilos of marijuana plants in Howard Township, on Grill Road, Niles on Jan. 26, 2004. This was a "large scale operation" bringing drugs from Indiana into Michigan, Dodge said.
Twice Rocha has made an illegal entry into the United States. He will be sent to a federal prison. His Cass County sentence of 365 days has already be fulfilled with 1,095 days credit.
He is to pay a $60 Crime Victim fee and $60 state costs.
Horese Ratliff, 26, 201 Elm St., Dowagiac, fled from Dowagiac police in the early morning of Nov. 25, 2006, on West Division Avenue, Dowagiac.
He abandoned his car and fled on foot. He was found to be in possession of less than 25 grams of cocaine.
He is to serve 210 days in jail, with credit for 62 days and pay a $60 Crime Victim fee and $60 state costs and his license is suspended for 180 days.
Kandace Witek, 23, 12450 Dutch Settlement Road, Dowagiac, was found to be in procession of less than 25 grams of cocaine, on Nov. 15, 2006, while officers made a home call in Marcellus. She had been on probation for delivery of marijuana.
"I hate to see you go done this path," Dodge said.
She received 180 days in jail, with credit for 73 days. She is to pay a $60 Crime Victim fee and $60 state costs and her license is suspended for 350 days.
Robert Pursifull, 20, Kimball Road, Sand Lake, was sentenced to two consecutive terms for conspiracy home invasion second and home invasion second, habitual offender second, on Oct. 5, 2006, at a home on Sheldon Creek Road, Marcellus.
"The home invasion spree included at least 10 other homes," said Ronning.
He is to serve 30 months to 15 years in the Michigan Department of Correction, with credit for 114 days served.
He is to pay $450 court costs, $350 attorney fees, a $60 Crime Victim fee, $60 state costs and $201.50 in restitution.
Jason Stanford, 28, of North County Line, Watervliet, has failed to support his three children, as court ordered. He was sentenced to spend 90 days in the jail, with credit for 64 days.
He will also be on probation for three years. He is to pay $30 supervision fees, $450 court costs, $350 attorney fees, a $60 Crime Victim fee and $60 state costs, along with his child support payments.
William Rowe, 45, failed to register as a sex offender, when his address was on North Lowe Street in Dowagiac on Sept 20, 2006.
He was convicted of CSC in Texas in 1986 and was supposed to register when moving to Michigan, Dodge said. In June 2005, in Berrien County, he was arrested for attempted kidnapping and send to the Michigan Department of Correction for 57 months to 10 years.
Dodge sentenced him to 29 months to four years, with credit for 706 days served. He is to pay $450 court costs, $350 attorney fees, a $60 Crime Victim fee and $60 state costs.
Michael Donoho, 22, 907 Lake St., Niles, was sentenced to 365 days in jail, with credit for 57 days for sexual activity, CSC third, with a 13-year-old at Vineyard Place, Dowagiac on May 1, 2006.
He must register as a sex offender and pay $60 Crime Victim fee and $60 state costs.