CASSOPOLIS — An Edwardsburg man convicted of third offense

drunk driving as a habitual offender said Friday that he was happy he was arrested in March because it allowed him to make changes in his life.

William Herbert Gallup, 51, of North Shore Drive in Edwardsburg, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving as a habitual offender and was sentenced to three years’ probation, 210 days in jail with credit for four days served, $1,908 in fines and costs and $180 in restitution.

He can serve the last 180 days of his jail sentence on SCRAM tether which monitors for alcohol use. His license was also revoked.

The incident occurred March 29 when Gallup’s wife called police to say that he was intoxicated when he left their home, Cass Circuit Judge Mark Herman said. Police soon found his truck on U.S. 12 where he was swerving between the lanes. His blood alcohol level at the scene was .157, nearly twice the legal limit.

“I’m actually happy this happened,” Gallup said before his sentencing. “I did quite a few years in prison and stayed straight. Then I forgot my purpose and started drinking. Over time, I forgot how I felt when I was sober.”

Judge Herman reminded Gallup Friday that drunk driving is a serious offence that can carry with it serious consequences.

“Your addiction is about looking at what stressor can you find to justify your drinking,” Judge Herman said. “You’re 51 years old, married and employed, but you have a drinking problem. You’ve been drinking since you were 16.

“The worst thing that you can do is kill somebody when you’re driving drunk,” the judge added. “If you do, your life will be over. I could send you to prison today, and in the future, the only option will be prison. The choice is yours. One drink on probation will cost you your freedom.”

Also Friday:

• A Dowagiac man already serving time in prison will be serving more time there after being sentenced Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Branden Paul Bradley, 32, of State Street in Dowagiac, pleaded no contest to two counts of accosting children for immoral purposes and was sentenced to two to four years in prison.

The new sentence is consecutive to the term he is already serving for a 2014 breaking and entering a building with intent to commit larceny.

The accosting incident occurred July 27, 2018, in Cass County. He had two counts of possession of child sexually abusive materials from the same time period last summer dismissed.

• In probation sentences, a Bristol, Indiana resident was sentenced to probation for fleeing and resisting and obstructing police.

Joseph David Carper, 32, of Bristol, Indiana, pleaded guilty to resisting and obstructing police and fourth degree fleeing and eluding police and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation, credit for 64 days already served and $1,728 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred May 16 on U.S. 12 near Red Pine Lane near Edwardsburg. Police attempted to stop him after they observed him weaving across the highway. Carper continued driving for a distance and then fled on foot.

Judge Herman noted that Carper had no criminal convictions until four years ago, and now he has four misdemeanors and four felony convictions, many related to drugs.

“Drugs aren’t doing you any favors,” Herman said. “You’re digging a hole, and it’s only getting deeper if you don’t get out of it.”

• A Cassopolis man was sentenced to probation in two cases.

Jimmy Ray Lee II, 34, of Pokagon Highway in Cassopolis, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving and possession of meth and was sentenced to three years’ probation in the adult treatment court, $2,566 in fines and costs and $260 restitution.

Lee was given 30 days in jail with credit for 11 days served on the drunk driving count and credit for 33 days served on the meth count. He can serve the rest of the drunk driving jail sentence on weekends.

The drunk driving incident occurred Feb. 25 on East State and Edwards streets in Cassopolis. His blood alcohol level was .335, more than four times the legal limit. The meth incident occurred May 23 when police found meth in his car when they stopped him in Dowagiac.

Lee thanked the judge for the opportunity to be on probation and get help.

“You could have had a year in jail today and there could be prison in your future,” Judge Herman said. “I hope you’re serious about getting your life back in order.”