By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Laurie Lynn Bell, 50, of 408 N. James St., Apt. 3, Ludington, was arrested May 27 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a felony of first-degree retail fraud and second-offense habitual offender. Probable cause hearing: June…
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Jennifer Rose Gancarz, 27, of 7880 N. Custer Rd., Free Soil, was found guilty May 26 of operating while impaired by liquor. She was sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day served; $870 in fines and costs; Alcohol Highway…
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…
.png)