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NILES — Several area residents were sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.

   Brian Lee Lawson, 39, of Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to possession of analogues and was sentenced to 150 days in jail with credit for 54 days served and $198 in fines and costs.

     The incident occurred June 8 in Niles.

     Assistant Prosecutor Kate Arnold said Lawson has been given “chance over chance” and keeps using drugs. “There’s nothing much more we can do,” she said.

     Defense attorney Shayne Williams noted that Lawson was recently sentenced to a year in jail on a probation violation in another case. Lawson said he has a job and housing waiting when he gets out of jail. He noted that he’s in a better place now than he was two years ago when he was homeless.

     Judge Smith said any change has to come from within. “Those things (housing and a job) are great but they’re temporary if you continue to use,” she said. “Probation is not enough motivation for you. It has to come from you, you have to want to keep your job and home.”

     Daniel Swain Sealey, 39, of South Bend, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and was sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for seven days in jail and $125 in fines and costs. He was given a concurrent 10 day jail term with credit for one day served for contempt of court for failing to appear for his original sentencing in May.

     The incident occurred March 23, 2018 in Niles.

     Jacob William Tate, 21, of South Bend, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 150 days in jail with credit for 86 days served and $258 in fines and costs.

     The incident occurred June 9 in Niles Township when he assaulted the owner of the bike he was trying to steal. “It’s certainly not okay that you tried to steal a bike but it’s more concerning what you did when you were confronted,” she said. “You threatened him with a knife. You present a danger to the public.”

     Others were sentenced to probation.

Chelsy Lisa Penley, 31, of Stevensville, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle and was sentenced to 18 months probation, credit for two days served and $598 in fines and costs.

     The incident occurred Oct. 24, 2023 in Niles Township.

     Robert Matthew Vermilyer, 38, of Cassopolis, pleaded guilty to failure to rented property $1,000 to $20,000 and was sentenced to two years probation, credit for 44 days in jail already served and $598 in fines and costs. Restitution is yet to be determined.

     The incident occurred March 28 in Niles Township when he rented equipment from Michiana Rental for someone else which was then stolen and not recovered.

     “Hopefully this is a lesson learned for you,” Judge Smith said. “You’re on the hook for a large amount of restitution.”

     Others received credit for time served sentences.

     Daniel Lee Bauman, 44, of Niles, pleaded guilty to third degree fleeing and eluding police, attempted interference with an electronic device and attempted resisting police and was sentenced to credit for 96 days in jail already served and $433 in fines and costs.

     The incident occurred June 6 in Niles Township.

     Yadira Enid Cavazos, 21, of Mishawaka, pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl and was sentenced to credit for 99 days in jail already served and $258 in fines and costs.

     The incident occurred June 4 in Bertrand Township.