Courts

Imprisoned sex offender sentenced for child sex abuse crimes

July 23, 2026

LUDINGTON — A 29-year-old man currently incarcerated in the Muskegon Correctional Facility for child sex crimes was sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court to eight to 20 years in prison for another child sex crime case. Kenneth Herrick Spencer Kotarski pleaded guilty, May 12, to felonies of child sexually abusive activity, using a computer to commit a crime…

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79th District Court felony arraignments, published July 20, 2026

July 20, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently on felony charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Josiah Robert Fenner, 21, first-degree home invasion and a misdemeanor of assault and battery. Offense date: July 3, 2026. Agency: Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Bail: $10,000/10 percent. Preliminary exam: July 29 at 1:30 p.m. Nicholas Gene Helfrich, 36, third-offense operating while intoxicated and…

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Jury convicts Ludington man of resisting, assaulting police officer

July 9, 2026

LUDINGTON — A Mason County jury convicted a Ludington man Wednesday, July 8, of resisting, obstructing and assaulting a police officer following a brief deliberation in 51st Circuit Court at the Mason County Courthouse. Anthony Holmes was found guilty of one count of assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer after jurors deliberated for less than an hour. The case…

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Drunk man allegedly causes courthouse ruckus

July 8, 2026

The police news is a presentation of Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, smith-eddy.com. LUDINGTON — A 46-year-old Fountain man was arrested after “he was alleged to have caused a disturbance at the Mason County Courthouse” Tuesday, July 7, at 11 a.m., said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “He was found to be intoxicated, which was a…

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79th District Court felony arraignments, published July 7, 2026

July 7, 2026

LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned on felony charges in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Tyler Jo Fink, 30, interfering with electronic communications. Offense date: June 8, 2026. Agency: Michigan State Police (MSP). Bail: $5,000/cash/surety. Preliminary exam: July 8 at 1:30 p.m. Donquez Lamon Haynes, 41, delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine. Offense date: June 21, 2026. Agency: Ludington Police Department (LPD).…

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