Courts

51st Circuit Court sentences, published Oct. 15, 2025

October 15, 2025

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced this week in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Richard Paul Brown, 35, pleaded guilty Aug. 19 to assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and fourth-offense habitual offender and was sentenced Oct. 14 to 20 months to 15 years in prison with credit for 191 days served in jail and $198 in fines and costs. – Stephen James…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Oct. 10, 2025

October 10, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Raymond Draper, 51; first-degree criminal sexual conduct (victim under age 13) and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct (victim under age 13); arrested Oct. 1 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office, arraigned Oct. 3; preliminary hearing: Oct. 22; bail: $50,000 cash.…

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Man pleads to charge after jury is seated

October 9, 2025

LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old man pleaded no contest to carrying a concealed weapon Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court after the jury for his criminal trial was seated. Richard David Shepherd, III, is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m. Shepherd faces a maximum term of five years in prison for the conviction. “Jurors were present…

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Drug dealer sentenced to 13-32 years in prison

October 8, 2025

Dakota Wilber and co-conspirator Levi Richard were operating ‘a portable drug store’ at the time of their arrests. By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 35-year-old Muskegon man convicted of multiple drug felonies was sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Wednesday, Oct. 8, to 13-32 years in prison. Dakota Raymond Wilber was convicted by a jury last June…

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Contractor ordered to pay back homeowners over $42,000

October 7, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 50-year-old Irons man was ordered in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Oct. 6, to pay back over $42,000 to the homeowners, including his former boss, he defrauded. Jason J. Noordhoek pleaded guilty last May to fraudulent use of building contract funds and was sentenced Monday by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to…

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