CASSOPOLIS – A Dowagiac man’s actions earlier this year are a clear example of the insanity of drug abuse, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Friday.

Kelly Deron Clark, 46, of Sherwood Street in Dowagiac, was sentenced Friday in Cass Circuit Court on weapons and drug charges. He provided narcotics to his son and then called police Feb. 1 when his son passed out. Police found marijuana, meth and narcotics as well as a sawed off shotgun in Clark’s possession when they searched the home.

“He’s been involved with crack cocaine, marijuana and heroin,” Fitz said. “He needs to understand that it’s bad enough when he endangers himself but then he had loaded guns and put police and others in danger. It’s a volatile mix.”

“At age 46, he needs to take a look at his life,” Fitz added. “Here in the courtroom today, he looks like he’s 46 going on 76. He needs to get himself clean. He needs to do it for his son, his daughter and his grandchildren. 76 will be a real enough number soon if he doesn’t change his ways.”

Cass Circuit Judge Mark Herman sentenced Clark to 365 days in jail as part of a plea agreement after Clark pleaded guilty to possession of a short-barreled shotgun, possession of cocaine and possession with intent to deliver a schedule four drug, Tramadol. He has credit for 67 days already served and he must pay $1,744 in fines and costs.

Clark said he is willing to change. “I’m willing to what I have to to straighten up my life,” he said.

“Police responded to a call of an overdose and found you intoxicated,” Judge Herman told Clark. “You had given drugs to your son and you called police when he passed out. They found marijuana, meth, pills, crack pipes and heroin and also a sawed off shotgun.”

“I don’t know where to start,” the judge said. “You say you love your grandkids with all your heart. That’s hard to believe. If you do, you don’t supply drugs to your son or have a sawed off shotgun. As much as you think you do, you don’t love them. You’re leading them down the path you’re on.”

Herman said he would abide by the plea agreement although he said he could easily send him to prison. “I could reject the plea agreement and send you to prison,” he said. “I don’t want to see you back here.”