By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — A 27-year-old Ludington man who briefly escaped from police custody at the Mason County Courthouse last fall faces a six-year prison term after recently pleading guilty to multiple charges in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court.
Totten
Jesse Allen Totten pleaded guilty in three files to charges of: escape awaiting trial for a felony, meth possession, second-degree home invasion, larceny from a motor vehicle, attempted second-degree home invasion, malicious destruction of a building $200-$1,000 and larceny $200-$1,000.
“There is a sentencing agreement of three years to 40 years in the MDOC (Michigan Department of Corrections) to the drug charge; five years MDOC on the home invasion file; and one year to 15 years consecutive on the escape,” said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand. “He will do a total of six years MDOC and he will not be getting credit for any of the time he has spent (in jail) so far, as he was on parole at the time of the offenses.”
A tether tampering charge was dismissed. “It would not have resulted in an additional penalty, and the possession of meth charge carried the more serious penalty,” Prosecutor Hand explained.
Totten was being transported from the Mason County Jail to the Mason County Courthouse where he was scheduled to appear for a hearing, Nov. 20. Upon arriving at the courthouse, at 2:22 p.m., and being let out of the van, Totten fled heading east and south from the courthouse. He was wearing handcuffs and a belly chain, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.
Cole said Totten was one of two inmates who was in the vehicle at the time and the deputy was unable to pursue him.
Totten was apprehended at 2:46 p.m. by Ludington Police Department officers shortly afterwards hiding behind a garage near the former Foster Elementary School about four blocks away.
Totten is currently lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $250,000 cash/surety bond. He is scheduled to appear for sentencing June 24 at 9:40 a.m.
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