Attempted pot thief receives jail term

Jesse Era Ingalls-Johnson with his attorney, Christine Clancy Frisbie.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — One of five Hesperia-area men involved in a bizarre incident at a medical marijuana growing facility last fall in Newfield Township that sparked a police manhunt was sentenced to serve 30 days in jail of a 11-month discretionary jail sentence Wednesday, May 27, in 27th Circuit Court.

Jesse Era Ingalls-Johnson, 21, pleaded guilty to attempted larceny over $1,000/less than $20,000 last month. One count of possession of burglary tools was dismissed in exchange for his plea.

Judge Anthony Monton allowed Ingalls-Johnson to serve his jail time on weekends so that he can maintain his employment. Ingalls-Johnson, who received credit for two days served in jail, was also ordered to 18 months probation.

“I do apologize,” Ingalls-Johnson said. “And I do know that I need to be responsible for what I did.”

Two co-defendants also received jail sentences for their roles in the crime. Daniel James Swanger, Sr., 46 was found guilty Nov. 10 of attempted larceny $1,000-$20,000. He was sentenced Dec. 22 to six months in jail with credit for two days served; sentence to be served at the court’s discretion with 20 days forthwith; and 18 months probation. Jerome Kenneth Hampton, 20, was found guilty Oct. 27 of attempted larceny $1,000-$20,000. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail with credit for 41 days served; 41 days forthwith; sentence to be served at the court’s discretion; and 18 months probation.

The file for co-defendant Dillon Slade, who was 17 at the time of his arraignment last fall, has been listed as “suppressed” or “non-public,” according to court personnel.

Co-defendant, 39-year-old Richard Wilson of White Cloud, pleaded no contest, May 11, to attempted larceny $1,000-$20,000. Wilson’s plea agreement includes a 30-day maximum jail sentence, and he is scheduled for sentencing June 2 at 9 a.m.

Wilson “conspired with the others to steal medical marijuana,” Oceana County Prosecutor Joe Bizon said previously. Although he was not physically at the crime scene, he “drew maps and came up with the plan,” Bizon said.