CASSOPOLIS — A number of area residents were given the chance to complete probation rather than jail or prison in sentencings Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Sentencing guidelines for Bryce William Grove, 42, of Lowe Street in Dowagiac, called for a year in jail or longer than that in prison before Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman heard Grove’s plea for another chance and decided to deviate downward from the guidelines.

A jury convicted Grove in September of possession of analogues and driving with a suspended license from an April 1 traffic stop on Barron Lake Road in Howard Township. Friday, he was placed on three years’ probation, given credit for 71 days already served and ordered to pay $1,698 in fines and costs.

“You have one opportunity here. Your record would justify sending you to prison,” Judge Herman said. “The guidelines justify a short prison sentence. I don’t normally deviate downward. We will see if you are a man of your word.”

“I won’t let you down,” Grove said.

He told Judge Herman that he was in possession of drugs when he was stopped because he was getting pills for his then girlfriend. He said his girlfriend had become addicted to the pills after being prescribed them by a series of doctors.

“I’d go out and get pills for her, because I wanted to save her but at the end of the day, I hurt my family more,” he said. “I made a huge mistake, but I wasn’t dealing drugs to others. I was trying to put a Band-Aid on what was tearing her up. I don’t want to go to prison. I’m asking you to give me one opportunity to be a productive member of society.”

Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Hubbert said he was concerned about Grove’s past record, which includes convictions as both a juvenile and adult as well as time in prison. He noted that Grove attempted to hide evidence by throwing drugs underneath a vehicle when police stopped him.

Also given a second chance Friday was Thomas Edward Kantz, 38, of South Third Street in Niles. He pleaded guilty to manufacture/delivery of methamphetamines and was sentenced to three years’ probation in the Swift & Sure Program, credit for 201 days already served, $1,908 in fines and costs and $120 in restitution.

The incident occurred April 14 when a vehicle Kantz was a passenger in was stopped by police on U.S. 12 near M-62 in Edwardsburg. A search found meth, marijuana, weapons and other items.

“This is your fifth felony,” Judge Herman said. “You have 12 misdemeanors and an extensive juvenile record with most of the convictions for drugs and assaults. You’ve been to prison a couple of times and jail a number of times. You’ve used drugs since age 12 and have little work history.

“Guidelines call for a minimum of six years in prison,” he added. “You’ve told many judges that you’re ready to get help. Every time you’ve said, ‘this is it,’ but you’re still doing drugs. If I put you in this program and you violate, I start looking at the top end of the guidelines. Tell me now, you’ll do less time if I sentence you to prison today than if you violate.”

Kantz said he was grateful for the opportunity.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to participate in Swift & Sure,” Kantz said. “I know drugs don’t do anything but mess me up. … In the past, I fell off, and there’s no excuse for that. Hopefully this program will help me. If I follow the instructions, it can set me up to where I’m moving forward with my life.”

In other sentencings:

• David Lee Goodwin, 40, of Goshen, pleaded guilty to possession of meth and analogues and was sentenced to credit for 99 days served and $1,676 in fines, costs and restitution.

The incident occurred March 24 on May Street near Eagle Lake Road in Edwardsburg. Goodwin also faces charges in St. Joseph County, Indiana.

•Jeramy Jenks, 38, of South Bend, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation, credit for four days already served and $2,228 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Aug. 24 at the Four Winds Casino in Dowagiac when cocaine was found in a bag with Jenks’ phone.

• Lori Lee Lutin, 45, of North Liberty, pleaded guilty to domestic violence and was sentenced to six months’ probation and $360 in fines and costs. She can clear her record if she successfully completes her probation. The incident occurred June 10 on E. Bertrand Road in Milton Township near Niles when she got into an altercation with a family member.

• Ronald Douglas Paschal, 45, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to possession of meth and was sentenced to three years’ probation in the Adult Treatment Court, and 120 days in jail, which he can spend in the Twin County Probation Center. He must pay $1,908 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Aug. 10 in the 100 block of Poplar Street in Dowagiac. He was on parole from a Berrien County meth lab conviction when this incident occurred.

•James Thomas Teague, 46, of Schoolcraft, pleaded guilty to resisting and obstructing police and driving while intoxicated and was sentenced to two years’ probation, credit for two days served and $2,338 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred May 18 when he was stopped at M-60 and Decatur Road near Cassopolis. He resisted arrest and then later struggled with police at the hospital when a blood alcohol contest test was being taken. His blood alcohol was .18, more than twice the legal limit.