CASSOPOLIS — A felon from Three Rivers was sentenced in Cass County Circuit Court Friday to prison after he was arrested for poaching deer, smoking marijuana and possessing a loaded shotgun in his vehicle.

John Cline, 47, 713 Balsam Drive, pleaded guilty Jan. 7 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle; and possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor.

Cline was arrested Nov. 17 on Norton Road in Union after he was caught riding in a vehicle driven by his daughter and poaching deer, smoking marijuana and possessing a shotgun.
“Stupid is as stupid does,” Prosecutor Victor Fitz said. “It’s really a combination of 27 years of bad decisions. The chickens are coming home to roost today.”

Cline has two prior felonies on his record, and Fitz said he has a “history of drugs, trespassing.”

Cline’s attorney, James Miller, said his client has health issues and is in a “precarious financial situation” with no income and two grandchildren he is raising. “I still engage in the marijuana and try to keep it with medical purposes only,” said Cline, who does not possess a medical marijuana card. “I understand what I did.”

He was sentenced to 60 days in jail with credit for two days served; two years of probation; and 90 days on a tether.

Judge Michael Dodge denied a request from Cline to schedule medical appointments and get his financial affairs in order before heading to jail.