CASSOPOLIS — A man prosecutors said is like “Jekyll and Hyde” will spend time in Cass County Jail for domestic violence and drug possession.

Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman sentenced Daniel McArthur Williams, 29, of the 400 block of Cleveland Street in Dowagiac, to 90 days in Cass County Jail, with credit for three days already served, for a charge of domestic violence. Williams was also sentenced to 18 months probation for a charge of possession of a controlled substance, analogue.

The charges stem from an incident that took place on Dec. 8, 2017, at Williams’ Dowagiac residence. Police were called to the residence after Williams assaulted his wife and she fled to a neighbor’s home. At the time, Williams’ wife displayed physical evidence of the assault and said that it was not the first time that Williams had assaulted her.

Williams attributed his actions to an opioid addiction that he developed two years ago.

“I don’t believe any of this would have happened if I wasn’t addicted to the pills,” Williams said during sentencing.

Williams was originally prescribed opioids by a medical professional due to an injury. After he ran out of pills, he turned to obtaining opioids on the streets, according to the presentence hearing.

“They get these pills through legitimate means, they get addicted, and when the pills run out, they are left to self-medicate,” said Williams’ attorney Robert Drake. “[Williams] is a hard worker. He cares not only for his family, but also his stepchildren, but the pills undo that.”

Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz likened William’s behavior to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and said that Williams will need to change his ways.

“When he’s bad, he’s really bad,” Fitz said. “No doubt some of this is down to his opioid abuse, but this violence is dangerous. … This community does hope that he gets well, but we need to protect our community members.”

The victim addressed the court during sentencing, asking the court to lift the no contact order, which is typically ordered for cases like Williams’, due to the fact that the couple is currently expecting a child.

In her victim impact statement, the victim said that Williams is a loving husband and father when he is not under the influence of drugs, but that his addiction changes the way he acts.

“I just want him to get help,” she said of Williams Friday.

Judge Herman said that he would lift the no contact order in this case, and said that as part of Williams’ treatment, he will need to attend therapy with his wife.

“You need to listen to her. She had your best interests at heart,” Herman said. “Instead of being violent with her when she tells you that you are doing something wrong, you need to listen to her and address it.”

Herman said that in order for Williams to be a productive member of society, he would need to address and correct his addiction. As a term of Williams’ probation, he is prohibited from using any opioid-based medication without approval of the court.

“With an opioid addiction, you are not a good father or a loving husband,” Herman said to Williams. “Realize that if you don’t address this issue, you are not a loving father. A loving father would give that up for his children.”