Man sentenced to jail for shooting son’s vehicle

July 22, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

Wass

LUDINGTON — A 52-year-old man was sentenced to serve six months upfront of a one-year discretionary jail term in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court last week for shooting his son’s vehicle with a handgun multiple times.

Chad Alan Wass pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of personal property between $1,000-$20,000, assault with a dangerous weapon and reckless use of a firearm, May 7, 2024.

One count of possession of a firearm while under the influence and two counts of felony firearm were dismissed.

“The incident occurred on May 13, 2023 in Branch Township,” said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand. “The victim and defendant were father and son but did not reside together.”

The son, who was in his late 20s, was not injured, said Prosecutor Hand. “Police were dispatched to meet with the victim at a location separate from where the assault had occurred. The victim had left the scene of the crime prior to calling the police. The victim reported that the defendant was intoxicated at the time of the assault. 

“After spending some time together, which had not happened in a while, an argument ensued. The defendant pointed a gun at the victim and then proceeded to shoot at the victim’s vehicle multiple times. The victim was not in the vehicle when the firearm was discharged.”

Wass was also sentenced to three years of probation by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. “Numerous probationary terms were imposed by the court, including but not limited to: not to possess or consume alcohol or controlled substances, random testing, restitution for the victim’s truck, no contact with the victim, attend counseling at the direction of the probation officer and not to possess a firearm or other weapon.”

Wass had no prior felony record, said Hand.

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