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CASSOPOLIS — A Buchanan man was sentenced Friday in Cass County Circuit Court for methamphetamine possession.

James Edward Bouma, 43, of Red Bud Trail North in Buchanan, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine was sentenced to credit for 191 days served and $1,548 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred July 13, 2023 at Four Winds Casino in Dowagiac. Police were called to the casino on a report of a stolen vehicle and found Bouma who had meth and a pipe in the car.

Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman said he didn’t think Bouma was a good candidate for probation as he was on probation when he was arrested and also faces new theft and stolen property charges in Berrien County.

Judge Herman urged Bouma to straighten his life around and to turn to his family rather than drugs when he faces problems. “Nobody gets out of life without having problems whether it’s a divorce or your house burning down,” he said. “Don’t turn to drugs but to your family.”