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CASSOPOLIS — A Cassopolis man who mistakenly thought he could hunt with a muzzleloader even though he’s a convicted felon was sentenced to fines and costs Friday.

William David Henry, Jr., 46, of Bulhand Road in Cassopolis, pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a firearm by a felon and was assessed $698 in fines and costs and forfeiture of his firearm.

The incident occurred Nov. 15, 2023 on the first day of hunting season outside of Cassopolis. He was stopped outside his home by a DNR officer who determined that he didn’t have a hunting license and didn’t have the right to have a firearm as a convicted felon.

Henry said he has been a law abiding citizen the last seven years after serving time in prison previously. He said he had researched the law and asked law enforcement officers if a muzzleloader would be considered a firearm before going out hunting.

Judge Herman said that he understood Henry’s confusion and noted that the law had been changed in 2015. He recommended that Henry confer with an attorney when he has questions in the future and also see what he can do to regain his ability to possess a firearm.