NILES — A Niles man was sentenced to jail, probation and community service for felony drunk driving.

      John David Harrell, 61, of Niles, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving and was sentenced to two years probation, 180 days in jail with credit for four days served, 90 days tether, 480 hours of community service and $743 in fines and costs.

      The incident occurred Dec. 15, 2024 in Niles Township. His blood alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit. His previous drunk driving convictions were in 1992 and 2010.

       Defense attorney Carri Briseno said Harrell made a number of bad decisions on the day of the incident including drinking with friends after being sober for two years and then getting into a car and driving. “He’s certainly old enough to know better,” she said.

      Briseno noted that Harrell has some significant health problems and has some upcoming scheduled surgeries.

      “I made a mistake, I’m sorry for that, it was just a bad day,” Harrell said.

      “I look at the seriousness of the incident, rehabilitation and the danger posed to society,” said Berrien County Trial Court Judge Gordon Hosbein. “You need some rehabilitation and some retribution … This is a serious offense, your actions have consequences. This is a minimal sentence, you could have been sent to prison.”

      Another Niles man who broke into a neighbor’s home was sentenced to probation.

      Gonzalo Gonzales, 49, of Niles, pleaded guilty to attempted malicious destruction of property $1,000 to $20,000, attempted resisting and obstructing police and attempted third-degree home invasion and was sentenced to two years probation, credit for 38 days served and $716 in fines and costs.

      The incident occurred Dec. 22, 2024 in Niles Township.

      Gonzales apologized for his actions. Defense attorney Shayne Williams said her client has been diagnosed with mental health problems and has applied for disability. She said that Gonzales believed that neighbors had taken items from his property.

      “One of the purposes of a sentence is rehabilitation,” Judge Hosbein said. “You need to recognize what makes you so impulsive and recognize that there are different avenues for solving problems. You can’t take the law into your own hands and go into someone else’s house.”

      In other sentencings:

• Danzick Delane Burns, 18, of Indiana, pleaded guilty to attempted carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to credit for four days served and $798 in fines and costs. The incident occurred Dec. 19, 2024 in Buchanan Township.
• Felicia Hood, 35, of Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to larceny $1,000 to $20,000 and receiving, concealing or possession of a financial transaction device and was sentenced to one year probation, credit for two days served, 50 hours of community service, $886 in fines and costs and $2,052.78 in restitution. The incident occurred March 8, 2024 in Niles Township.
• Chika Nwokah, 41, of Mishawaka, pleaded guilty to fourth degree fleeing and eluding police and was sentenced to one year in jail with credit for 294 days served and $198 in fines and costs. The incident occurred May 6, 2023 in Niles.

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