Courts

Jury acquits Ludington man of CSC charges

February 20, 2026

LUDINGTON — A jury found Evan Lee Fargo, 34, not guilty of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) following an eight-day trial in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Thursday, Feb. 19. Fargo faced up to life in prison had he been convicted of first-degree CSC. The case was prosecuted by the Michigan State Attorney General’s Office, and Oceana County…

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Man sentenced to prison for drug convictions

February 20, 2026

LUDINGTON — A 48-year-old man was sentenced to prison in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Feb. 17, for three drug convictions. Randy Wayne Hammond, pleaded guilty Dec. 9, 2025 to possession of methamphetamine/ecstasy; possession of cocaine, heroin or another narcotic; possession of analogues; and second-offense habitual offender, according to court records. Hammond was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Susan K.…

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79th District Court felony arraignments, published Feb. 20, 2026

February 20, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently on felony charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court: – Gary Lee Herbert, 52, pleaded guilty Dec. 18, 2025 to failure to register as a sex offender and was sentenced Feb. 17, 2026 to seven months in jail with credit for 69 days served; two years probation; and $398 in fines and costs.…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Feb. 20, 2026

February 20, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced this week in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Daniel Joe Hoadley, 60, pleaded guilty Sept. 2, 2025 to third-offense operating while intoxicated and was sentenced Feb. 17, 2026 to 30 days in jail with credit for 12 days served; three years probation; and $1,108 in fines and costs. – Tiera Leigh Pierce, 45,…

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Police news, published Feb. 19, 2026

February 19, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. The following is activity of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026: 8:02 a.m., car/deer crash, no injury, Free Soil Road west of Tubbs Road, Free Soil Township. 9:17 a.m., two-vehicle hit-and-run crash, no injury, Main Street south of Broadway Avenue,…

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