NILES — Two co-defendants from South Bend who were caught possessing drugs during a sting operation will spend time locked up for the crime, after being sentenced Monday by Berrien County Trial Court Judge Charles LaSata.

Dennis Tyler Giles and Alexis Nicole Dunn, both of South Bend, were sentenced separately for differing crimes. 

Giles, 40, pleaded guilty Feb. 13, to the offenses of possession of cocaine less than 25 grams and maintaining a drug house. LaSata sentenced Giles to serve 120 days in the Berrien County jail, with credit for 56 days. He was also ordered to serve two years of probation.

Dunn, 30, pleaded guilty Feb. 13, to delivering and manufacturing methamphetamine. LaSata sentenced her to serve a minimum of three years to a maximum of 20 years in a Michigan state prison. She has credit for 55 days. If she completes six months of prison, LaSata said he would consider admitting her to a boot camp program to serve the remainder of her time.

The charges stem from a crime that occurred on Jan. 30, when a Michigan State Police Officer from the Southwest Enforcement Team set up a sting operation and made a controlled purchase of 6.9 grams of meth from Giles and Dunn. The office purchased the drug for $285 in the Rural King Parking lot. Police made contact with Giles and Dunn when the exchange was through and they were arrested. 

Giles was represented by indigent defense attorney Jason Engram who said his client was aware of the severity of this crime.

“He realizes this might be the last chance of saving his relationship with his [family],” Engram said, “which is certainly important to him.”

While Engram said his client had only one prior conviction which was dismissed, Giles also has a pending charge in Indiana.

Giles said he apologized to Berrien County and Michigan for his actions.

LaSata said the most recent charges indicated where Giles priorities were.

“Two felony drug charges in six months,” LaSata said. “I think it shows you are choosing drugs over your children.”

Dunn stood before LaSata moments later and was represented by indigent defense attorney Scott Sanford.

Sanford said his client was eligible for a Special Alternative Incarceration program and he encouraged LaSata to let Dunn serve her time through the boot camp. 

But LaSata said he was going to order Dunn to serve at least six months in prison, before possibly allowing her to be part of the program. LaSata reminded Dunn of the severity of her crime.

“You sure jumped in the deep end on this,” LaSata said. “Because meth is so addictive and creates so many problems in our society, the sanctions and penalties are high. This is not some casual sort of thing. … you better get smart quick, before there are some tragic results.”

Dunn said she was grateful for the opportunity to potentially take part in the program.

The charges stem from a crime that occurred on Jan. 30, when a Michigan State Police Officer from the Southwest Enforcement Team set up a sting operation and made a controlled purchase of 6.9 grams of meth from Giles and Dunn. The office purchased the drug for $285 in the Rural King parking lot. Police made contact with Giles and Dunn when the exchange was through and they were arrested. 

Giles was represented by indigent defense attorney Jason Engram, who said his client was aware of the severity of this crime.

“He realizes this might be the last chance of saving his relationship with his [family],” Engram said, “which is certainly important to him.”

While Engram said his client had only one prior conviction which was dismissed, Giles also has a pending charge in Indiana.

Giles said he apologized to Berrien County and Michigan for his actions.

LaSata said the most recent charges indicated where Giles’ priorities were.

“Two felony drug charges in six months,” LaSata said. “I think it shows you are choosing drugs over your children.”

Dunn stood before LaSata moments later and was represented by indigent defense attorney Scott Sanford.

Sanford said his client was eligible for a Special Alternative Incarceration program and he encouraged LaSata to let Dunn serve her time through the boot camp. 

But LaSata said he was going to order Dunn to serve at least six months in prison, before possibly allowing her to be part of the program. LaSata reminded Dunn of the severity of her crime.

“You sure jumped in the deep end on this,” LaSata said. “Because meth is so addictive and creates so many problems in our society, the sanctions and penalties are high. This is not some casual sort of thing. … You better get smart quick, before there are some tragic results.”

Dunn said she was grateful for the opportunity to potentially take part in the program.