CASSOPOLIS — Kevin Degraff has 18 criminal convictions on his record.

The most recent, an operating while intoxicated as a third offense, has landed him in prison.

Degraff, a 45-year-old Edwardsburg resident, was sentenced to two to seven and a half years in prison Friday in Cass County Circuit Court. He will receive credit for two days already served.

Prosecutor Victor Fitz called Degraff a “quad-county trouble maker,” given that he has drunken driving convictions in Cass, Berrien, St. Joseph and Elkhart counties.

“He’s spreading the wealth or spreading the danger,” Fitz said.

Degraff was driving on US-12 in Edwardsburg in November when he nearly struck another vehicle. He was pulled over by a police officer and blew a 0.24 blood alcohol content level — three times the legal limit.

Degraff’s brother, Robin, was sentenced in February to 120 days in jail and two years of probation for drunken driving as well.

“Alcohol is a demon his family has been battling for many years,” said defense attorney Dale Blunier.

For his part, Degraff said he accepted responsibility for his actions.

“This has been one demon I’ve never been able to shake,” he said. “But I’m going to try.”