Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

CASSOPOLIS — A Dowagiac man who got into an altercation at a downtown Dowagiac restaurant and then assaulted police was sentenced to jail and probation.

Jason Stewart Keen, 45, of Glenwood Road in Dowagiac, pleaded no contest to resisting and obstructing police as well as assault and battery and was sentenced to two years probation, 270 days in jail with credit for two days served and $3,378 in fines and costs.

      The incident occurred Sept. 28 at the Wounded Minnow Saloon in Dowagiac. Witnesses said he punched a woman in the face after she accused him of parking too close to her car. When police transported him to the hospital, he refused to walk inside and then spit and kicked them and a paramedic.

      Fitz said Keen has a history of violence with 15 prior misdemeanors, many for assaultive incidents.

      Defense attorney Nicholas Hogue said Keen is embarrassed and ashamed of his actions and doesn’t remember much of what happened.

“He’s a good guy, but when he uses alcohol, he’s not,” he said.

      Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman pointed out that Keen hadn’t gotten help after a 2022 attempted resisting and obstructing police conviction when he told Keen he had a drinking and anger management problem.

“Your attorney says you’re a good guy and maybe you are,” he said. “But you’re a mean drunk and that shows historically.”

“You’re 45 years old and have your own business, but you acted more like a five year old brat throwing a tantrum,” the judge added. “… You like to drink and when you do, you become a mean drunk. It’s time to grow up … The next time you assault an officer, expect to go to prison.”

      In other sentences:

• Christopher Michael Moon, 53, of Marcellus, pleaded to possession of methamphetamine as a habitual offender and was sentenced to three years probation in the Adult Treatment Court, completion of the Twin County Probation program, credit for 113 days served and $2,628 in fines and costs. The incident occurred Aug. 27 near Jones.
• Carter Joseph Stewart, 36, of Indianapolis, pleaded no contest to operating with a high blood alcohol level and possession of a firearm under the influence and was sentenced to 10 months probation, credit for five days served, 100 hours community service and $1,925 in fines and costs. The incident occurred Sept. 21 in Edwardsburg.