NILES — Drug offenses led two area residents to be sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

Earl Kenyatta Bostic, 49, of Maple Street in Niles, pleaded guilty to second offense possession of analogues, fentanyl, and was sentenced to 18 months to four years in prison and $198 in fines and costs. He has credit for no time served because he was on parole, and his sentence will be consecutive to any penalty for violating his parole.

The incident occurred Sept. 26 at a residence on Maple Street in Niles where police found fentanyl, meth, cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Bostic’s past criminal record includes 1990, 2013 and 2016 drug convictions.

Berrien County Prosecutor Gerald Vigansky noted that Bostic was on parole at the time of the incident and was found with fentanyl, which Vigansky called one of the “most highly addictive drugs” that leads to overdoses and deaths.

“He’s sending poison out into the community,” he said. “He should get the maximum amount of time in prison. He’s not learning his lesson. He continues to come back to the community and sell drugs.”

Defense attorney Edwin Johnson III argued for a shorter sentence so Bostic can get treatment.

“If he goes to prison, he doesn’t learn how not to be an addict. We need to solve his underlying problem,” he said. “He’s not making a million dollars selling drugs. He is selling drugs to support his habit.”

Berrien County Trial Judge Sterling Schrock said he saw no compelling reason to depart downward from the guidelines. He noted that he has to consider a variety of factors, including deterrence and protection of the community. He said that the amount of fentanyl Bostic had indicates he was doing more than just feeding his addiction.

Nicole Marie Anderson, 39, of W. U.S. 12 in Buchanan, pleaded guilty to delivery/manufacture of methamphetamines and was sentenced to 18 months to 20 years in prison. She has credit for 67 days served and must pay $198 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Oct. 15 on 13th Street in Niles. She also had her probation revoked from an earlier conviction for use of methamphetamines.

Judge Schrock agreed somewhat with defense attorney Scott Sanford that the penalty for delivery/manufacture of methamphetamines is too harsh in comparison to similar charges involving cocaine or heroin, but said that any change is up to the legislation to do.

Schrock noted that Anderson was the “middle man” in the transaction and did not manufacture meth. Anderson’s initial sentencing guidelines called for a prison sentence between three and five years.

In another drug case, a Buchanan man was given probation and credit for time served.

Trevor Jacob Aalfs, 32, of Rynearson in Buchanan, pleaded guilty to use of methamphetamines and carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to credit for 68 days served on the meth charge and two years’ probation in mental health court, credit for 68 days served and $906.

The incident occurred Nov. 8 when Aalfs was found inside a car parked in Oakridge Cemetery in Buchanan and in possession of drugs and knives.