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ALPENA -- Scuffles at the Alpena County Jail led to an extra month tacked on to one man's sentence and no extra time for another man sentenced on Monday in Alpena's 26th Circuit Court.
Judge Ed Black commended Ryan Johnston, 43, for improvements Johnston has made while in jail awaiting sentencing on charges of resisting a police officer in July. Johnston described journaling, completing workbooks, and other steps he'd taken, with the help of agencies that work inside the jail, to better himself.
"I want to be a productive member of society," Johnston told Black. "I'm tired of going in and out of jail."
While acknowledging that Johnston seems a different person than he was at the time of his arrest four-plus months ago, Black said Johnston's involvement in an alleged fight at the jail warranted an extra month added to the 12-month sentence agreed upon when Johnston admitted to the charges last month.
William Gauthier, 42, also appearing for sentencing on Monday, avoided having a thirteenth month added to his sentence when Alpena County Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski recommended Black stick to an agreement made when Gauthier pleaded no contest to grabbing a woman and hitting her last year.
Black said reports of Gauthier's alleged assaultive behavior at the jail, including fights with two other inmates on the same day, would incline him to up Gauthier's sentence for assaulting the woman, but Muszynski requested Black stick to the original 12-month sentencing agreement.
Black complied, noting Gauthier has already served 341 days toward that sentence.
Gauthier's attorney said his client is not guilty of the alleged jail misconduct. Evidence about the alleged fights can be presented at future hearings, Black said.
Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693, jriddle@thealpenanews.com or on Twitter @jriddleX.