A Cassopolis man caught with drugs and an illegally-modified handgun by police while speeding in Ontwa Township last summer will spend the next year in a Cass County jail cell.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman sentenced 32-year-old Willie Demetrius Moore to 365 days in jail during his hearing before the court Friday morning. Moore was punished on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of a weapon by a felon, carrying a concealed weapon and alteration of a pistol, all of which he pleaded guilty to during a prior appearance in court Jan. 17.

Moore was arrested by police on Aug. 6 after authorities stopped his vehicle near the intersection of Eagle Lake Road and Lisa Terrace in Edwardsburg. Moore was pulled over for traveling 49 mph in a 30 mph zone, Herman said.

The officer who pulled Moore over discovered methamphetamine and marijuana inside the vehicle, as well as a grinder and a digital scale.

Police also found a Glock 19 handgun, with its serial number filed off, during the search. While the pistol was unloaded, the officer located a fully loaded magazine for the firearm in Moore’s possession.

“Things could have gotten out of hand very seriously,” Herman said.

At 32, Moore has racked up an extensive criminal record, with 16 past felonies, said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. If not for a plea agreement made between the prosecutor’s office and the defendant — where the man agreed to serve one year in jail — the Cassopolis man could have faced up to eight years in prison.

“His days of freedom are numbered if he continues with this criminal behavior,” Fitz said.

Moore’s attorney, Paul Jancha, asked the judge to sentence his client per the terms of the plea deal as well. He mentioned that Moore is committed to changing his ways, especially since the recent birth of his third child, he said.

Herman agreed to follow the terms of the plea agreement. After handing down his sentence, the judge offered Moore some advice: use his stint behind bars to “man up” and think about how he can be a better father to his child.

“If you continue to do what you are doing, your child will end up sitting in court one day in front of me,” Herman said. “You have the opportunity to make sure that doesn’t happen. You don’t want your child to end up in prison, do you?”

“No sir,” Moore replied.

Moore was given credit for six days already served behind bars. Herman also suspended his driver’s license for one year, though Moore can apply for a restricted license after 60 days.

Also sentenced Friday:

• Dwan Maurice Hannah, 27, of Redford, Michigan, to 180 days in jail for illegal use of financial transaction device, possession of a transaction device and resisting arrest.

• Michael Jeffery Canfield, 54, of Cassopolis, to 18 months of probation for possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana.

• Jan Leonard Arndt, 55, of Dowagiac, to two years of probation for operating while intoxicated.

• Jerry Allen Beathea, 51, of Cassopolis, to two years of probation for methamphetamine-related charges.