NILES — A Niles man is going to prison after being convicted of third offense domestic violence.

Travis Jermaine Hipps, 35, of S. Old 31 in Niles, pleaded guilty to third offense domestic violence and was sentenced to 12 to 60 months in prison. He must pay $198 in fines and costs. He could serve part of his sentence in boot camp. He has credit for 72 days already served.

The incident occurred May 4 at a residence in Niles Township when he assaulted a woman. His previous domestic violence convictions came in 2005 and 2006.

“The victim seems to be really scared,” Assistant Prosecutor Jane Wainwright said in court Monday. “He has been physically abusing her for the last five years and this is the first time she has reported it. He has a bad drinking problem and made threats to the victim that he was going to kill her. … This was not just a push or hit, he stomped on her.”

Defense attorney Carri Briseno said her client recognizes that he has areas to improve. She noted that Hipps has not had any convictions in the last several years, and his most recent convictions before this were for theft and drugs.

Berrien County Trial Judge Charles LaSata noted the time gap between Hipps’ convictions but said his behavior warrants prison.

“You’re going to prison. Enough is enough,” he said. “The victim said you kicked her like you would kick a football through the goalposts.”

LaSata said he would be open to allowing Hipps to serve part of his sentence in boot camp.

“I will likely consider boot camp after an initial time in prison,” he said.

Other area residents were also sentenced Monday for firearm and drug charges.

• Cheri Lynn Burkhard, 42, of Fulton Street in Buchanan, pleaded guilty to second offense use of cocaine and was sentenced to two years’ probation, credit for two days in jail already served and $838 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred April 18 when Burkhart was stopped by police for a broken taillight on April 18 on Redbud Trail near Shawnee Road in Oronoko Township. Police found cocaine and a crack pipe in her car.

Judge LaSata noted that Burkhard has been using marijuana since the age of 14 and then started using cocaine in recent years. He warned her to straighten out her life or expect a lengthy jail or prison term if she violates her probation.

• Matthew Allen Ellis, 28, of South Bend, pleaded guilty to attempted carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to credit for six days in jail already served and $958 in fines and costs. His weapon was forfeited.

The incident occurred March 18, 2015, when police stopped him for speeding in Berrien Springs. According to statements made in court, Ellis was working as a security guard and was not aware that he could not be in possession of a firearm without a concealed carry permit.

• Elizabeth Kirsten Hall, 27, of Niles-Buchanan Road in Buchanan, pleaded guilty to possession of meth and was sentenced to two years’ probation, credit for 57 days already served and $1,138 in fines and costs. She has applied to be accepted in the county’s drug treatment court.

She had her probation revoked and was given a 120-day jail sentence with credit for 56 days served for violating her probation from an earlier use of meth conviction this year.

The possession of meth incident occurred May 20 on 11th Street near Michigan Street in Niles.

Judge LaSata noted that Hall has four previous marijuana convictions and two meth convictions just this year.

“I don’t think you have a long life ahead of you unless you completely change things around,” he said. “I’m not real optimistic with two arrests in two months for meth.”

• Adam Christopher Houck, 38, of Eaton Street in Galien, pleaded guilty to possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and was sentenced to two years’ probation, 30 days in jail with credit for three days served, $898 in fines and costs and forfeiture of his weapon.

He received a concurrent 45-day jail term for contempt of court for using alcohol, marijuana and cocaine while out on bond.

The firearms incident occurred May 2 on Bond Street near the dam in Niles. As for the contempt incident, Houck said he used the marijuana and cocaine to dull the pain from an abscessed tooth. He told the judge that it was easier and cheaper to get the drugs rather than prescription drugs.