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NILES — A Buchanan man who assaulted his mother and threw several items around the home was sentenced to jail Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

     Corey Dustin Benton, 43, of Buchanan, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to two years probation in the Swift and Sure program, completion of the Tri-Cap program, 300 days in jail with credit for 86 days served and $598 in fines and costs.

He was given a 93 day jail term with credit for 19 days served for contempt of court.

He also pleaded guilty to use of meth and drunk driving and was sentenced to concurrent jail terms of 180 days and 93 days in jail with credit for 86 days served and $300 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred July 5 in Buchanan Township.

     Defense attorney Carri Briseno said the time in jail had provided him an opportunity reflect on his actions. She said he is very remorseful and knows he has a substance abuse problem. She said he sees this probation as an opportunity to prove he can be successful.

     Benton apologized to his mother and said he’s getting help. “I can’t change the past but I will work every day to change the future,” he said.

     Judge Smith said that loving someone is sometimes not enough when a person’s sense of safety is taken away. “This was childish behavior, you had a temper tantrum,” she told Benton. “You’ve violated probation in the past, this is your second chance.”

Daniel Joshua Fulsher, 24, of Berrien Springs, pleaded no contest to resisting and obstructing police and disturbing the peace and was sentenced to 180 days in jail with credit for 82 days served on the resisting charge and 90 days in jail with credit for 82 days served for the disturbing the peace charge. He must pay a total of $248 in fines and costs.

     The incident occurred Sept. 26, 2023 in Oronoko Township.

     French said that Fulsher had stopped taking his medications when the incident occurred.

     “The number one thing is that you have to take care of yourself and stay on your medication,” Judge Smith said. “Here you assaulted a number of people who were trying to help you. You have some assaultive history and you know what happens when you go off your meds. The last time you assaulted someone with a knife and got jail.”

     In other sentences:

• Robert Lee Allred, 53, of Niles, pleaded guilty to fleeing and eluding police and was sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for two days served and $258 in fines and costs. The incident occurred July 15 in Niles.
• Bennie Harrison Brown, 43, of Niles, pleaded guilty to use of narcotics/cocaine and was sentenced to two years probation, credit for two days served and $598 in fines and costs. The incident occurred May 7 in Niles.
• Ryan Nieb, 22, of Niles, pleaded guilty to fleeing and eluding police and was sentenced to 15 days in jail with credit for two days served, 100 hours community service and $618 in fines and costs. The incident occurred May 18 in Niles.
• Sidney Graham Oles, 27, of Buchanan, pleaded guilty to attempted altered/forged registration plates and was sentenced to 120 days jail with credit for 49 days served and $598 in fines and costs. The rest of his jail term can be served on tether. The incident occurred July 15 in Niles Township.
• Marcellus Taylor, 30, of Buchanan, pleaded guilty to attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to 24 months probation, credit for 60 days served and $1,205 in fines and costs. The incident occurred Nov. 3, 2023 in Buchanan.