Manistee woman faces prison for car theft

Susan Lewis with her attorney, David Glancy.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 50-year-old Manistee woman who pleaded no contest to a felony of unlawful driving away of an automobile (UDAA) and a misdemeanor of second-offense operating while impaired in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 21, is looking at a minimum two-year prison sentence.

Susan Kay Lewis also pleaded guilty Tuesday during her final conference hearing to fourth-offense habitual offender. She was arrested last February by the Michigan State Police after stealing a vehicle in Manistee County and then operating while intoxicated on US-10 in Amber Township, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.

In exchange to pleading to the circuit court charges, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss her district court charges. The plea deal calls for a two to 20 year sentence in a Michigan Department of Corrections prison, along with driver’s license sanctions, Spaniola said.

Sentencing guidelines are seven to 46 months, and the maximum penalty for UDAA is five years in prison.

Lewis admitted to Judge Susan Sniegowski that she was on probation in Grand Traverse County at the time of the offense. Her sentencing is set for June 2 at 2:15 p.m.