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NILES — A South Bend man who robbed a Niles Township cash checking store is going to prison after being sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

Jahari Lenoir, 21, of South Bend, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and was sentenced to 40 months to 10 years in prison. He has credit for 107 days already served and must pay $3,608 in fines, costs and restitution.

The incident occurred Nov. 30, 2019, at the Cash Advance store on S. 11th Street in Niles Township. Lenoir and an accomplice put guns to the store clerk’s head and told her to open the store safe. They got away with more than $3,000.

“The victim is here, and she’s still a little on edge,” said Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Gerald Vigansky. “This could have been a lot worse if their weapons had discharged. I saw the video of this incident, and it’s totally terrorizing to see what she went through. Guns were held to her head, and she was told to get into the safe, and she couldn’t.

“I don’t know what’s going on in his [Lenoir’s] head,” Vigansky added. “This is egregious. I think the guidelines are too low. The victim has her whole life ahead of her with this going on in her head. I’d max him out beyond 60 months. He deserves as much as he can get. This is one of the most heinous crimes short of murder.”

Lenoir’s attorney agreed the allegations were serious, but said Lenoir was sorry and had redeeming qualities. 

“I cannot explain why he did this, saying this is aberrational behavior is an understatement,” said defense attorney Scott Sanford. “He is a high school graduate and is working. He’s always worked. I think he was taken advantage of by others to do this. He’s acknowledging he made a horrible decision. He’s horribly sorry.”

Berrien County Trial Court Judge Sterling Schrock noted that although this was Lenoir’s first offense, the seriousness of the crime put him in prison guidelines.

“I’m kind of at a loss,” Schrock said. “This is the ultimate example of the importance of who you associate with. The lesson learned here is that you really need to be aware of and make good choices about who you associate with.”

In another sentencing, a Niles man who used the Niles District Library computers to get emails containing forged license plates was sentenced to probation.

Quantell Verse, 31, of S. Fifth Street, in Niles, pleaded guilty to attempted use of a computer to commit a felony and was sentenced to 12 months’ probation, credit for four days served, 100 hours of community service and $738 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Dec. 2, 2019, at the Niles District Library when he used their computers to forge a license plate. Library staff captured screenshots of what was on the computer he was using before police came.

Assistant Prosecutor Nick Deryke pointed out that Verse had a previous conviction last year for doing the same thing.

“He thumbed his nose at the court. I think probation and some jail is appropriate,” he said. “He didn’t get the message the last time.”

“I made a bad decision. I want to apologize,” Verse said. “I don’t want to end up in a bad situation, I’ve learned my lesson. … That was the past, I’m trying to correct, change and get away from my past. I’ve been going to counseling and church.”

Judge Schrock encouraged Verse to take responsibility for his actions.

“You can change,” he said. “You are making excuses and saying that you’re just trying to make things right, but the evidence doesn’t show that. Why was a license plate with a new date on it in the computer? When you don’t take 100 percent responsibility, it doesn’t help.”

Also Monday, a Berrien Center man was sentenced to probation and restitution for driving drunk and injuring his friend and roommate.

Steven Rex Spenner, 21, of Pokagon Highway in Berrien Center, pleaded guilty to second offense drunk driving reduced from operating while intoxicated causing serious injury and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation, credit for two days served, 120 days tether, $1,700 in fines and costs and $29,745.78 in restitution.

He must be in a rehabilitation or counseling program for his drinking for 12 months.

The incident occurred Oct. 20, 2019, in Berrien Township. Spenner, whose blood alcohol level was .134, was driving, and the victim was jumping off and on the car and ended up being thrown and injured. The victim, Spenner’s friend and roommate, has had several surgeries and is in rehabilitation.

“He’s lucky his friend didn’t die,” Vigansky said. “He has to learn that he can’t mess around and drink and drive. This could have been much more tragic.”

Defense attorney Kevin Banyon noted that Spenner and the victim are best friends and roommates.

“This was horseplay with a motor vehicle and drinking. It could have been much worse,” he said. “This was not a traditional drunk driving. He was in his driveway, and the victim kept jumping off and on the car.

“My client works in a nursing home now and has learned from this, he’s focusing on his education and career,” Banyoun said.

In court, Spenner apologized for his actions.

“I’m extremely sorry for what happened,” Spenner said. “I’m reminded every day that I shouldn’t drink and drive. I’ve very regretful for the mistakes I made.”

“You drank and drove again within four months of your first impaired driving conviction,” Judge Schrock said. “You learned nothing from your first conviction. … But for the issues we have going on with what’s going on in the country, I’d be putting you in incarceration.”