News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Kevan Bennett, 48, was sentenced Monday morning. He was charged with possession of methamphetamine.

ALPENA — Kevan Bennett, 48, was given the chance to turn his life around at his sentencing for possession of methamphetamine on Monday.

Judge Henry Gill, a retired judge from Bay County, presided over Monday’s court proceedings at the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena.

Bennett pleaded guilty on April 21 to one count of possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced Monday.

His attorney Dennis Grenkowicz said that Bennett has used his time wisely in jail and has earned certificates through the Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education (IGNITE) program.

There is no question that Bennett has had a drug problem, Grenkowicz said, but he knows that he needs treatment.

Grenkowicz presented to the judge a letter from Sunrise Centre saying that if the court would allow, Bennett could be admitted to residential treatment Tuesday morning. Bennett would receive funding for 30 days at the treatment center.

Attorney Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski said that she was able to consult with the Michigan Department of Corrections and said that they were in favor of Bennett receiving residential treatment. Muszynski added that Bennett should be mandated to follow the recommendations of the Sunrise Centre for any necessary follow-up treatments once he has completed residential treatment.

Gill said he was impressed by Bennett’s skill set, earned through the IGNITE program and experience working in construction, but that the path to recovery would not be easy.

“You need to work on this hard,” Gill said. “You still have a life in front of you, if you want it. But it’s going to be very hard work. You know, I hate to see people go to jail for addiction.”

Gill sentenced Bennett to two years of probation and 180 days in jail. Gill suspended the prison sentence on the condition that Bennett gets admitted to the Sunrise Centre for residential treatment Tuesday and that he successfully completes the program, as well as any outpatient treatment following.

ALSO IN COURT MONDAY

— Ryan Gapske, 35, was sentenced to 180 days in jail for failure to comply with sex offender reporting duties.

— Gabriel Wikaryasz, 30, was scheduled for sentencing on one count of police officer assaulting/resisting/obstructing and one count of possession of methamphetamine, and was scheduled for arraignment for one count of police officer assaulting/resisting/obstructing and one count of possession of methamphetamine. Wikaryasz pleaded guilty to the two counts on which he was arraigned and will now be sentenced for all four charges on July 21.

— Zenaida Forquer, 31, had a status conference for one count of police officer assaulting/resisting/obstructing, one count of assault or assault and battery, and one count of disorderly person drunk. Her next status conference was scheduled for June 16.

— Ericka Hill, 34, charged with one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of police officer assaulting/resisting/obstructing, was sentenced to 365 days in jail.

— Robert Rios, 36, had a status conference, and his attorney Bill Pfeifer said that an agreement had been reached but he needed more time. Rios was scheduled for a continuing status conference on June 16. Rios is charged with two counts of controlled substance delivery/manufacturing.

— Henry Marshall II, 36, was sentenced to five months in jail for one count of possessing a dangerous weapon, and one count of assault or assault and battery.

— Felecia Bradford, 33, had a status conference. Bradford is charged with one count of controlled substance delivery/manufacture methamphetamine. Bradford’s legal representation Julie Miller said that they had a plea deal ready but that Bradford wanted Gill to hear both the plea deal and sentencing. Gill is temporarily taking the place of Judge Ed Black and would not be presiding over Bradford’s sentencing. Gill talked to court administrators but could not be the judge for Bradford’s sentencing. The plea deal was not heard. Bradford will next appear in court on June 16.

— Dennis Moldenhauer Jr., 26, appeared for a status conference. His case will proceed to jury trial. Moldenhauer is charged with one count of criminal sexual conduct third degree.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.