By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — Benjamin Michael Bentz, 34, was found guilty on all counts of molesting a young girl following a two-day jury trial Thursday, June 4, in 51st Circuit Court. Bentz is convicted of four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) and one count of second-degree CSC. The victim in the case provided graphic testimony Wednesday,…
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The trial against a 34-year-old Ludington man accused of five counts of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) involving a female victim who was at 8 and 9 years old at the time of the alleged incidents ended shortly before 5 p.m. today, and the jury is currently deliberating. The prosecution and the defense each…
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The victim in a criminal sexual conduct case provided graphic testimony Wednesday, June 3, in 51st Circuit Court. The defendant, Benjamin Michael Bentz, 33, of Ludington is accused of five counts of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) involving a victim under 13 years old. “The jury was seated in the early afternoon,” stated Mason…
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 31-year-old Hart woman who was scheduled for sentencing in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, June 2, did not appear, and a bench warrant has been issued for her arrest. However, Judge Susan Sniegowski said Melinda Ann VanDerZanden is believed to be incarcerated in jail in another county. VanDerZanden pleaded guilty to first-degree retail…
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 50-year-old Manistee woman was sentenced to two to 20 years in a Michigan Department of Corrections prison for a felony conviction of unlawful driving away of an automobile (UDAA) and a misdemeanor of second-offense operating while impaired in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, June 2. Susan Kay Lewis pleaded guilty to the charges…
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