CASSOPOLIS — An Elkhart man will spend the next several years of his life behind bars.

Friday, Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman sentenced William Luther Schrimsher, 36, of the 800 block of Prospect Street in Elkhart, to five years in prison on 

charges of arson, felony weapons possession, assault with a dangerous weapon and witness intimidation.

Schrimsher pleaded guilty to the charges during a March 23
court appearance.

The charges stem from events that took place on New Year’s Eve in the 200 block of N. Disbrow Street in Cassopolis. On the night in question, police were called to the scene for a possible domestic assault incident involving a weapon. Schrimsher’s girlfriend told police that Schrimsher had assaulted her and headbutted her, before pulling out a gun and firing it into the ceiling.

Schrimsher later took the victim’s belongings into the garage and set them on fire, according to court testimony.

After Schrimsher was arrested on those charges, he reportedly threatened the life of a seperate witness in the case, according to the presentence investigation report.

“These are very serious charges,” said prosecuting attorney Thomas Hubbert. “There are many charges here.”

Hubbert said that in his reading of the victims’ impact statements, he found that Schrimsher’s actions have had an impact on his victims, particularly the witness who he threatened. Due to this and the severity of Schrimsher’s crimes, Hubbert recommended a prison sentence for Schrimsher, which was agreed upon in a plea deal.

During sentencing, Schrimsher told the court that he is dedicated to his son and his well-being, and that he has been taking classes while incarcerated in order to achieve an education and provide a better life for his son.

“I’m just looking out for my son,” Schrimsher said. “Once I get out of whatever institution you put me … I now have the knowledge to help me son with whatever question he may have. I didn’t have that growing up.”

Schrimsher said he never intended for the events that led to his arrest to take place, saying that he was intoxicated the night of the events. Additionally, he denied threatening the life of a witness. Instead he said he told the witness that she would no longer be allowed to see his son.

“I would just like the court to take leniency on me, because I am trying to benefit from being in jail by staying in school,” he said.

Judge Herman said that Schrimsher’s actions were concerning, and told Schrimsher that he would need to reevaluate his priorities once he got out of prison in order to be a good father to his son.

“You say your son is your life,” Herman said. “But if your son was your life, you wouldn’t even be here.”