Police officer assault leads to jail.

Rodney Lentz

Police officer assault leads to jail.

#OceanaCountyCourtNews

By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 46-year-old Amber Township man is looking at serving six months up front of a one-year discretionary term after pleading guilty in 51st Circuit Court Thursday, Sept. 7, to two felony counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police.

Rodney Aaron Lentz, of 100 Wildwood Crossing, testified that he failed to obey officers’ commands last July at his apartment complex.

A Mason County sheriff’s deputy and a Michigan State Police trooper were attempting to arrest Lentz for violating his bond because he was intoxicated. Lentz testified that he had a .20 blood alcohol content (BAC).

“I misunderstood his direction,” Lentz said. “It was a frustrating situation.”

“I attempted to go into my house and get my shoes,” he said. “I was in self-defense mode.”

“There were commands to not to go into the apartment, and he failed to do so,” said his attorney David Glancy. Then, a physical confrontation ensued.

“The main instruction I failed to do is I didn’t realize I couldn’t step into the house,” Lentz said.

A second-offense habitual offender designation was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Lentz will be required to undergo a substance abuse evaluation as part of his sentence and must follow the recommendations, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 31 at 2:45 p.m.

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