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NILES – Two area men were sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court in Niles. As has been the case for the last several weeks, defendants appeared remotely due to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Niles man was sentenced to jail for a March incident in the city.

Jesse Burgess Webster, 29, of Niles, pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 120 days in jail with credit for 59 days already served. He must also pay $198 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred March 14 in the city of Niles when Webster attempted to swing an axe at his mother. Charges dismissed as part of the plea agreement were assault with a dangerous weapon and second offense domestic violence.

An Indiana man was given credit for time served for possession of methamphetamine.

Carl Ray Morris, Jr., 52, of LaPorte, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to credit for 365 days already served and fines and costs of $198.

The incident occurred March 12, 2019, in Oronoko Township. Morris is currently serving a federal sentence for a drug conviction and will be sent back to federal prison, Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Jerry Vigansky said.

Morris’ past record includes sentencings in both Michigan and Indiana as well as the federal conviction. He was sentenced to prison in January 2014 for illegal sale/use of a financial transaction device in Berrien County. Earlier, he was sentenced in 2012 in Calhoun County to probation for uttering and publishing.