Kayaker who punched officer sent to jail.

Alan Ross, at left, with his attorney, David Glancy.

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By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 56-year-old Ludington man who punched a Mason County Sheriff’s deputy in the face after kayaking along the Ludington pier last March was sentenced Tuesday, June 21, in 51st Circuit Court to serve 60 days up front of a one-year discretionary jail term followed by 60 days of alcohol monitoring.

“I would like to apologize for what happened,” said Alan Glenn Ross, of 206 E. Danaher St., Apt. 3. Ross referred to “complete and utter lies in the report.” He also said the news media portrayed him as being “an alcoholic kayaker.” According to police, Ross was intoxicated during the incident.

“Regardless of whether you were intoxicated or not, there is no excuse for punching an officer in the face,” said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski.

Ross, who had served almost five years in the US Marines, struck a police officer in full uniform with a closed fist in the face, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. He is convicted of one felony count of assaulting, resisting, obstructing police.

Work release was authorized by Sniegowski, who also ordered that Ross serve one year of probation. He was given credit for 10 days served in jail. After he is released from jail, Ross will be on Secure Continuous Remote Alcoholic Monitoring (SCRAM) for 60 days.

If Ross successfully completes his probation, he can withdraw his plea to the felony and enter a plea to a misdemeanor of attempted resisting arrest, said his attorney David Glancy.

The deputy who was punched received a cut to his mouth, but the injuries were not serious, Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole said previously.