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Gardner
Man with 28 previous convictions sentenced to prison.
#MasonCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.
LUDINGTON — A 55-year-old Ludington man with 28 prior criminal convictions was sentenced to 12 1/2 to 50 years in prison for a conviction of first-degree home invasion in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Feb. 27.
Tyrone Gardner, of 502 Third St., Apt. B, pleaded guilty last month to the charge, as well as a felony of possession of burglary tools and third-offense habitual offender.
Gardner also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver marijuana, maintaining a drug house and third-offense habitual offender in a separate case.
Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola said Gardner has a lengthy criminal history totaling 28 prior convictions, including armed robbery.
Gardner testified that he used a crow bar last October to break a window of a locked home on Third Street in the City of Ludington with the intent of stealing. He said was intoxicated when he committed the offense.
In the drug case, Garnder testified that he was in possession of 26 grams of marijuana
“It has taken quite a while for her to feel comfortable in her own home,” Spaniola said of the home invasion victim who was Gardner’s neighbor. The woman hid in a closet while Gardner was in her home, stealing guns, Spaniola said.
Gardner’s attorney David Glancy said his client “went into the home for protection issues” because he “felt threatened by another individual and did not know anyone was home. He wanted to get a weapon to protect himself.”
Gardner apologized for his actions and asked Judge Susan K. Sniegowski for a lighter sentence.
“I had a very, very rough upbringing,” he said, stating that he was molested twice as a child. Gardner said his mom was always working, and his father introduced him to drugs at a very early age. “As a child, I didn’t have the chance to be a normal child.”
“I feel very bad for my actions, and I know I deserve some type of time. I’m asking the court to lower the time.”
“I fully understand that there are circumstances in people’s lives, but at 55 years of age there are plenty of opportunities to change your life,” Sniegowski said. “The only option is a significant prison commitment.”
Gardner received the following concurrent terms: 30 months to eight years, with credit for three days served, for possession with intent to deliver marijuana; 25 months to four years, with credit for three days served, for maintaining a drug house; and 76 months to 50 years, with credit for 130 days served, for burglary tool possession. He also received credit for 130 days served in jail for the home invasion conviction.
This story is copyrighted © 2018, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
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