CASSOPOLIS — A Dowagiac teen who talked about shooting others at Dowagiac Union High School in March was sentenced to probation Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Shawn Nicholas Zimmerman, 19, of Paris Street in Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to making a false report of a threat of terrorism and was sentenced to two years’ probation, credit for two days in jail already served, 120 days’ tether and $1,848 in fines and costs.

Zimmerman may not enter the premises of Dowagiac Union High School except with the permission of the court and school authorities. He is currently attending the Volinia alternative education program to get his high school diploma.

The incident occurred March 5 when Zimmerman was overheard in a school hallway saying he was going to be a school shooter. While he claimed he was just making a joke, he also made other statements threatening African American students and teachers.

“This is very concerning with the events going on around the nation,” said Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman.

Judge Herman noted that County Prosecutor Victor Fitz has agreed that the felony charge against Zimmerman can be reduced to a misdemeanor charge of attempted resisting and obstructing police so he would not have a felony on his record. Zimmerman can also petition the court to expunge his record in five years if he does not get into any more trouble.

Fitz noted that while people have the right to think any way they want, it becomes criminal when they make threats.

“Singling out anybody will not be tolerated,” he said. “He has a golden opportunity if he completes this probation to have the charge reduced to a misdemeanor. He has the opportunity to change his life.”

Defense attorney Robert Drake agreed that these types of threats need to be taken seriously.

“It’s stressful for everyone when schools have to be on lockdown,” he said. “He struggles with impulsivity issues, and he’s been receiving treatment.”

In other sentencings, three people were given probation and the chance to stay out of prison for drug-related charges. A fourth person was sentenced to prison after violating her probation from a 2018 conviction.

• Thomas Robert Mondschein, 37, of Red Bud Trail in Buchanan, pleaded guilty to delivery/manufacture of meth as a habitual offender and was sentenced to three years’ probation, credit for 139 days already served, completion of the Swift & Sure and Twin County probation programs and $1,908 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred May 25 when his car was stopped by police on M-60 near Reum Road in Howard Township. A search of his vehicle found meth, scales and cash, and Mondschein admitted that he had just sold some meth to another person.

Fitz noted that Mondschein has been to prison before and has six prior assaultive convictions as well as other drug convictions.

“There are times when prison is appropriate,” he said. “The message has to be sent that you can’t be a drug dealer and a violent person. I hope he is serious about changing, but he can do that in prison.”

Drake disagreed, saying that prison provides a temporary fix by taking a person out of the community while programs like Swift & Sure would provide a permanent fix and give the tools needed to change one’s life.

“I know my record looks bad. I’ve made a lot of bad decisions,” Mondschein said. “Being stopped that night was a blessing. I do want to change. I didn’t know how.”

Judge Herman said it could be a “win-win” for Mondschein and for society if he can change his life around, but warned him that he faces years in prison if he violates his probation.

“I’m willing to take a chance on you, but you need to be 100 percent serious,” he said.

• Charles Robert Hammond, 34, of Edwards Street in Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamines and was sentenced to three years’ probation in the Adult Treatment Court, completion of the Twin County Probation program, credit for 136 days served and $1,908 in fines and costs.

He had his probation revoked and was given credit for 149 days already served for violating his probation from a 2018 meth conviction.

The incident occurred April 25 when police conducted a search of his home and found meth and other items.

• Ashley Ann Friske, 30, of Calvin Hill Street in Cassopolis, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to delivery/manufacture of controlled substances, delivery/manufacture of controlled substances and maintaining a drug house and was sentenced to three years’ probation, credit for 126 days served and $1,908 in fines and costs for the first two counts and credit for time served for the drug house count.

The incident occurred May 4 at her home in Cassopolis when police searched her home and found drugs.

• Autumn Marie Parsons, 21, of Lyle Street in Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to violating her probation from a May 2018 conviction for unarmed robbery and delivery/manufacture of controlled substances and was sentenced to 66 months to 15 years in prison. She has credit for 441 days already served.

Parsons violated her probation by leaving the Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program and having continued contact with a known felon.

“It’s abundantly clear that you’re not ready to change, and we have no other programs for you. You just won’t change,” Judge Herman said.