79th District Court sentencings

The Hon. Pete Wadel, 79th District Court judge.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court:

– Jennifer Rose Gancarz, 27, of 7880 N. Custer Rd., Free Soil, was found guilty May 26 of operating while impaired by liquor. She was sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day served; $870 in fines and costs; Alcohol Highway Safety Education (AHSE); 93 days discretionary jail for one year; and must attend the next session of the Victims Impact Panel (VIP). Conviction reportable to the Secretary of State (SOS).

– Michael Mason Durham, 25, of 512 E. Danaher St., Ludington, was found guilty May 26 of third-degree retail fraud. He was sentenced to 93 days discretionary jail for one year and $601.59 in fines, costs and restitution.

– John Patrick Merchant, 43, of 507 E. Pere Marquette St., Ludington, was found guilty May 26 of second-offense operating while intoxicated. He was sentenced to $1,530 in fines and costs; outpatient counseling; one year discretionary jail for two years; Impact Weekend ordered/deemed completed; no alcohol/drugs; must attend AA at least one time per week for two years; and subject to random preliminary breath tests (PBTs). Conviction reportable to SOS.

– Michael Simon Haddad, 27, of 1194 E. Henry Rd., Idlewild, was found guilty May 26 of driving while license suspended (DWLS). He was sentenced to $535 in fines and costs and one year discretionary jail for one year. Conviction reportable to SOS.

– Nancy Ann Couturier, 54, of 3022 Grant St., Coleman, was found guilty May 26 of second-degree retail fraud. She was sentenced to outpatient treatment; $699.23 in fines, costs and restitution; and one year discretionary jail for two years. One count of second-degree retail fraud was dismissed.

– Christopher Patrick Kapala, 35, of 408 N. James St., Apt. 2F, Ludington, was found guilty May 26 of assault and battery. He was sentenced to 21 days in jail with credit for 21 days served; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; $535 in fines and costs; and no contact with the victim. He was also found guilty of driving while license not valid/improper and sentenced to $225 in fines and costs and 93 days discretionary jail for one year. Conviction reportable to SOS. One count of DWLS was dismissed

– Paulenea Tiffanie Hornacek, 23, of Walhalla, was found guilty May 26 of second-offense operating while intoxicated. She was sentenced to 30 days in jail June 22 unless she completes Impact Weekend and follows recommendations; outpatient treatment; $1,790 in fines and costs; one year discretionary jail for two years; must attend AA/NA two times per week for two years; no alcohol/drugs; and subject to random PBTs and drug tests. Conviction reportable to SOS. She was also found guilty of driving while license not valid/improper and sentenced to $225 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to SOS. One count of DWLS was dismissed

– Leigha Nicole Wambach, 21, of 608 E. Dowland St., Ludington, was found guilty May 28 of disorderly conduct – fighting. She was sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day served; 30 days discretionary jail for one year; no contact with victim; and $285 in fines and costs.

– Dylan Scott Gillette, 27, of 5970 S. Darr Rd., Scottville, was found guilty May 28 of insecure load – failure to tarp and sentenced to $175 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to SOS.

– Jose Coronilla Sanchez, 42, of 406 E. Melendy St., Ludington, was found guilty May 28 of driving while unlicensed/never applied and sentenced to $275 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to SOS.

– Taylor Miles Densmore, 19, of 416 W. Beyer Rd., Free Soil, was found guilty May 22 of moped – no license and sentenced to $275 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to SOS.

Dismissals

– Matthew Joseph Stock, 23, of 918 E. Fulburn Rd., Scottville, one count of assault by strangulation was dismissed May 28. “Defendant’s motion for dismissal is granted without prejudice and the case is dismissed,” his court file states.

– Lauren Gilder Joynton, 30, of 820 N. Rath Ave., Ludington, one count of breaking and entering – illegal entry was dismissed May 19. “People unable to prove the matter beyond a reasonable doubt. The ends of justice do not require further prosecution,” her court file states.