By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — A 43-year-old Scottville man faces 12 felony counts in two separate criminal cases involving child abuse and assault.
Michael Reece Herndon was recently arraigned on eight of those charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court: two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily
Herndon
harm less than murder; two counts of second-degree child abuse; three counts of felony firearm; and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.
The victim in the case is one of his daughters, said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand.
In another case, Herndon is set for a jury trial scheduled for May 6 and 7 in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court. In that case, he faces five more charges, including two felony counts of assault with a dangerous weapon/felonious assault and two counts of felony firearms. He also is charged with a misdemeanor of malicious use of telecommunications in a domestic relationship.
Two of his youngest children are victims of the assault charges, said Prosecutor Hand. His ex-wife is the victim of the malicious use of a telecommunications device charge, she said.
The charges in his new case stem from an offense date of Aug. 1, 2022 that was investigated by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, according to court records. The charges in the other case arise from an offense date of Aug. 26, 2024 that was investigated by the Michigan State Police.
Herndon pleaded guilty in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Dec. 9, 2024 to a felony count of attempted assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and was sentenced Feb. 10, 2025 to three days in jail with credit for three days served; two years probation; $334.83 in restitution; and $758 in fines and costs. One misdemeanor count of assault and battery was dismissed. His conviction arose from an offense date of Aug. 7, 2024, court records state.
Herndon is scheduled to appear in Mason County’s 79th District Court for a preliminary exam April 29 for his new charges. His bond was set at $100,000/cash/surety in his previous file. He is currently free on bond, said Prosecutor Hand.
According to a news report by Vian Tenkiller News in Sequoyah, Okla., an arrest warrant was issued for Herndon, who was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, marijuana cultivation, and possessing a firearm during commission of a felony following a traffic stop by Vian police June 11, 2024.
According to Sequoyah, County court staff, Herndon appeared in court with his attorney and received a deferred sentence in the case. Upon successful completion of his probation, he can withdraw his plea and his record could be expunged.
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