NILES — A man who assaulted a woman after a verbal altercation and later ran from police will serve time in prison for the crime.

Joseph Ray Baggett, 37, of Buchanan, pleaded guilty March 16 to resisting and obstructing a police officer, violating felony probation and domestic violence second offense. 

Judge Charles LaSata sentenced him serve 14 to 36 months in a Michigan prison for count 1 — he has 42 days credit for this offense; 18 to 60 months of prison for violating probation (subsequently his probation was revoked) — he has credit for 386 days on this charge and for the domestic violence charge, 42 days, with credit for 42 days. The sentences will be served concurrently.

The crime occurred on March 5 at the 13700 block of Pardee Road in Buchanan, when the victim got into an altercation with Baggett when she tried to stop him from driving his car without his registration. A struggle ensued between them.

The victim reported the assault to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department through an online tip service.

Police spoke with Baggett at his residence. Authorities then left the scene to speak with another witness and when they returned Baggett was gone. He was arrested on March 15, according to court documents.

Baggett was represented by defense attorney Scott Sanford, who said his client had been sober since he returned from KPEP, a community-based alternative to incarceration.

For his part, Baggett said getting his addiction under control has been a priority and he took full responsibility for his actions.

“Your honor, I admit my record is a disaster,” Baggett said. “… I have made some bad decisions thinking only of myself and not about the hurt I have caused others and my family. While I know it has only been 10 months [since] my sobriety, these 10 months was all my doing.”

Still, LaSata said he felt a prison sentence was appropriate.

He encouraged Baggett to take advantages of the opportunities he would be offered while serving his time.