Dowagiac man gets prison time for violating probation

CASSOPOLIS — A Dowagiac man is going to prison after violating his probation from a 2024 second degree criminal sexual conduct conviction. Trent Aaron Conrad, 23, homeless and formerly of Dowagiac, was sentenced to 36 months to 15 years in prison with credit for 90 days already served Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

This was at least the fourth time since August that he has been in court for the probation violation with Judge Herman debating his future. In previous court appearances, Conrad had been sentenced to prison and then given a chance to attend a treatment program which ended up having its funding cut.

Cass County Prosecutor Victim Fitz said that all the available options have been explored besides a prison sentence. He noted that Conrad had had multiple violations of his probation over the last year.

A homeless man who was found with methamphetamine at the Cassopolis Biggby Coffee shop was sentenced to probation.

Andres Contreras McClain, 30, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to two years probation, credit for 82 days served and $2,268 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred July 27 in Cassopolis. Police were called on reports of an unwanted person in the shop who was asleep in a chair. Police found a meth pipe on McClain after searching and arresting him.

McClain is currently in the St. Joseph County, Ind. Jail on a separate charge. 

“You’ve spent six years of your adult life in jail or prison,” said Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman. “Is this what you want your life to be for the rest of your life? I hope not. You can’t change the past but you can change the future.”

“You’re going to need to make some serious changes or spend a lot of time behind bars,” he added. “There are potential prison guidelines here and the next time it will be mandatory prison.”

An Elkhart man had his drunk driving conviction entered after failing a delayed sentencing probation.

Alonzo D. Higgins, 62, of Elkhart, had his third offense drunk driving conviction entered and was sentenced to an additional two years probation and 30 days in jail with credit for two days served. He can serve his remaining jail term on weekends.

The incident occurred June 24, 2024 in Dowagiac.

In other sentencings:

• Carl Richard Jacobs, 59, of M-51, Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 12 months probation, credit for 72 days served and $1,968 in fines and costs. The incident occurred Aug. 10 in Dowagiac.
• Brandon Lee Ingold, 35, of Three Rivers, pleaded guilty to possession of analogues, possession of a weapon by a prohibited person and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person and was sentenced to concurrent terms of 365 days in jail with credit for 200 days served and $2,184 in fines and costs. The incident occurred May 6 in Cassopolis.

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