Courts

79th District Court arraignments, published Sept. 19, 2025

September 19, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Amilcar D. Bautista-Mendoza, 38; third-offense operating a vehicle while under the influence of liquor and second-offense driving while license suspended; arrested Sept. 14 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office; arraigned Sept. 16; preliminary hearing: Oct. 1; bail: $10,000 cash. -Traylen Wayne Baker,…

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Jury swiftly returns with guilty verdict in meth case

September 17, 2025

LUDINGTON — It took a jury less than a half an hour of deliberations in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Wednesday, Sept. 17, to find Timothy Charles Zeller, 42, guilty of methamphetamine possession, said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand. “On June 19, 2024, a Ludington police sergeant located Zeller at approximately 2:30 a.m. lying in the grassy area between…

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Man serving 20-80 year prison term for deadly drug deal adds another five years for other crimes

September 17, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old Oceana County man who was sentenced to 20-80 years in prison in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court, July 1, for the fentanyl death of his friend tacked on another five years to his prison time when he was sentenced for multiple other convictions Tuesday, Sept. 16. Travis Michael Gale was sentenced Tuesday…

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Woman sent to prison for meth was warned by judge years ago

September 17, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — A 37-year-old woman was sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Sept. 16, to three to 40 years in prison for a conviction of delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine. Nicole Lynn Kaiser was sentenced Tuesday by the same judge who warned her back in 2017 that she would end up in prison or dead…

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Ludington man charged with unlawful imprisonment, weapons charges

September 16, 2025

LUDINGTON — Thomas James Parker, 54, of Ludington was arraigned recently in Mason County’s 79th District Court on multiple charges including unlawful imprisonment, two counts of felony firearms, assault with a dangerous weapon, and domestic violence. He was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 12:30 p.m. by Ludington Police Department following an incident in the 800 block of East Melendy…

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