While Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman has seen much in his nearly 35 years of experience in the courtroom, he has rarely witnessed the sight of a defendant smiling moments before the judge delivers his sentence, as was the case Friday morning.

Sitting before the judge in the county courthouse, Edwardburg’s Sonny Craig was grinning as he prepared to deliver the remarks he had written down in preparation of his sentencing hearing scheduled that morning, thanking the court for allowing him a chance to overcome his drug addiction once and for all.

“As I give up fear of the unknown and climb out of my comfort zone, I will try to create a track I can run on, where my choices and actions will allow me to find my authentic self,” Craig said. “With the help of [the adult treatment court] team and program, the process of rebuilding myself has just begun.”

Herman sentenced Craig, 32, to two years of probation that morning, on charges of possession of methamphetamine, fleeing from police and possession of marijuana. As part of his probation, Herman ordered Craig to
complete the adult treatment court program, which will provide him with supervised drug-rehabilitation services.

Craig pleaded guilty to the counts against him during a prior appearance in court, on Oct. 21.

According to the judge, Craig’s charges stem from an incident that occurred Aug. 7, while Craig was operating an ATV near Redfield Street and Adamsville Road in Ontwa Township. When police attempted to stop the man, he fled from the officers in the vehicle before it flipped, throwing him off.

Craig then continued to run from the officers on foot a short distance before he was apprehended, Herman said.

“Found in the compartment of your ATV was a Michigan identification card, along with a methamphetamine pipe, some crystal meth and a marijuana pipe,” Herman said.

Herman noted Craig’s extensive criminal history, which mainly consists of drug-related offenses, his first coming when he was 16 years old.

“For half your life, you have been involved with drugs,” Herman said. “Hopefully you can see now it is time for you to make some changes in your life.”

Craig’s sentence comes as result of a plea agreement he made with the prosecutor’s office, where he would receive probation and a chance to participate in the court-ordered rehabilitation program.

The Edwardsburg man has already made progress in getting himself clean, completing intensive outpatient treatment at the Woodlands clinic in Cassopolis as well as participating in classes at the Twin County Probation Center, Herman said. He also has been working on completing his high school diploma, and is currently six credit shy from receiving it.

While praising Craig for his efforts thus far, Herman warned Craig that he would likely face prison time if he relapses while in the treatment court program.

“I was an attorney for 34 years before I came to the bench, and I do not believe I have ever seen someone who participated in one these treatment programs and tried to evade the requirements who did not end up getting violated and being incarcerated,” Herman said.

Craig’s driver’s license was also suspended for one year as part of his punishment.