Faces penalty for falling back on addiction habit

A Cass County man is facing a lengthy visit to a Michigan prison after violating probation less than a month into his sentence.

Cass County Circuit Judge Michael Dodge sentenced Zachary Hagquist, 28, of Vandalia, to a minimum term of six years in prison with a maximum of 30 years Friday, on charges of conspiracy to operate a meth lab and attempting to maintain a drug house. He pleaded guilty to these charges on Nov. 14.

Hagquist was arrested on July 15 during a scheduled visit at his Carver Road residence by probation officers with the Michigan Department of Corrections and a detective with the Cass County Drug Enforcement team. The officers were searching the home due to the fact that Hagquist was on probation at the time.

“The officers discovered that you were in possession of materials to make methamphetamine,” Dodge said. “You also admitted to police that you had been paid to purchase essential ingredients, thereby assisting in the manufacture of methamphetamines.”

The Vandalia resident has a lengthy history with substance abuse, including two meth-related convictions in 2009 that resulted in him being incarcerated for three years in prison.

“Frankly, it sounds like the defendant is using any type of drug he can get ahold of,” said Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle.

In June, Dodge had sentenced Hagquist to serve two years of probation due to a cocaine possession charge that he pleaded guilty to in April. However, his arrest three weeks later resulted in his discharge of the program.

“I constantly try to straighten my life out and I end up getting overwhelmed,” Hagquist said.

While he and his counsel requested that Hagquist be admitted into the state’s Swift and Sure probation program, Dodge denied the request, stating that the defendant was no longer a suitable candidate for such a punishment.

“Given your record and the fact you committed these offenses while you were on probation, so soon after being placed on probation, the court feels you should be sentenced within the guidelines,” Dodge said.

He was given credit for 158 days for time already served.

Also sentenced Friday:

• Jennifer Lynn Wood, 38, of Dowagiac, to two years of probation for drug-related charges.

• Robert Edwards Stratton, 56, of Marcellus, to one year of probation for marijuana-related charges.