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NILES — A Niles man is going to jail for retail fraud after being sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

Steven Paul Hover, 56, of Niles, pleaded guilty to first degree retail fraud and was sentenced to 300 days in jail with credit for 96 days served and $529.86 in fines, costs and restitution. He can serve the jail sentence in any penal institution.

      The incidents occurred in April and May at the Niles Lowe’s store in Niles Township.

      While Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Jerry Vigansky said Hover’s past record speaks for itself, defense attorney Shayne Williams said that Hover’s problems stem from his substance abuse.

      Williams said Hover plans to get treatment for his addiction and also wants to go to Lake Michigan College to get training as a machinist. Hover took full responsibility for his actions and acknowledged that his record isn’t good.

      “I’m 56 years old, I apologize,” he said. “It’s embarrassing to stand here at my age. You won’t see me back here again.”

      Berrien County Trial Court Judge Jennifer Smith noted that with 42 previous convictions, she didn’t know why the 43rd conviction should be embarrassing to him. “You were last here in 2023 for larceny in a building,” she said. “You say the court doesn’t know you but you’re a thief, that’s what you do.”

      “Now you’re saying you want to get help for your addiction,” she said. “You’ve been on probation and to prison before. Probation is not an option given your record. I will give you credit that you’re not violent, but you continue to commit crimes. The last time you got six months in jail for larceny in a building and you also have pending charges in Indiana.”

      “The next step for you will be prison if you come back,” she added. “You need to take a hard look at what you want the rest of your life to look like.”