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NILES — A Niles man was sentenced to prison on weapon charges Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

Jeron Allen, 36, of Niles, pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to 12 months to five years in prison with credit for six days served and $198 in fines and costs. He also forfeited his gun.

The incident occurred July 22 in Niles.

Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Kate Arnold noted that Allen has been receiving programming from the courts since he was a juvenile in 2006. She said he has had his probation revoked in the past, been to prison and had a parole violation.

“I don’t see the need to waste the court’s resources on him,” she said. “He had a loaded weapon in the vehicle with one in the chamber.”

Defense attorney Shayne Williams said Allen has been working and has children to support. Allen apologized to the court and the community.

“I understand my actions put people’s lives in danger,” he said. “I worked hard to not put myself in this position. I made a stupid decision.”

Berrien County Trial Judge Jennifer Smith said while Allen has been crime free since 2018, she couldn’t ignore his long criminal history.

“As a felon, you can’t have a gun,” she said. “I don’t know what putting you on probation would do for you or the community. You were on the right track but you made the wrong decision.”