Courts

Man arraigned on 8 felony charges in child sex case

January 22, 2026

LUDINGTON — A 53-year-old man faces eight felony counts in Mason County’s 79th District Court in connection to a child sex case. John Edward Engelsman is charged with two counts of child sexually abusive commercial activity, one count of accosting children for immoral purposes, three counts of using a computer to commit a crime, and two counts of felony firearms.…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Jan. 22, 2026

January 22, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced this week in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Jonathon Raymond Witt, 42, pleaded guilty Nov. 18 to third-offense operating while intoxicated and was sentenced Jan. 20 to 30 days in jail with credit for two days served; three years probation; and $833 in fines and costs. One count of open intoxicants was dismissed.…

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Arsonist sent to prison, ordered to pay nearly $820,000 in restitution 

January 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 53-year-old Ludington man was sentenced to 15-50 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $820,000 in restitution for convictions of second-degree arson, third-offense domestic violence and third-degree child abuse in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 20. Patrick Joseph Cybert pleaded guilty to the charges, Nov. 12, after setting fire…

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Man sentenced to prison for assaulting girlfriend, police

January 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old Scottville man was sentenced to concurrent prison terms in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 20, of six to 20 years and two to four years for convictions of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and assaulting/resisting/obstructing police. Brandon Keith Eaton pleaded guilty to the…

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Man sent to prison for third-offense domestic violence

January 21, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old man was sentenced to 20 months to 10 years in prison in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 20, for a conviction of third-offense domestic violence. Austin Grant Mareches pleaded guilty to the charge, Nov. 18. He received credit for 146 days served in jail. Mareches committed the crime Aug.…

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