Mears man faces jail time for driving over cherry trees

William Buchanan II with his attorney, Julie Springstead Waltz.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — A 29-year-old Mears man is looking at serving a jail term of not more than four months in jail after pleading guilty in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Oct. 12, to malicious destruction of turf/trees/shrubs $1,000-$20,000.

William Craig Buchanan II, of 7736 W. Fox Rd., testified that he intentionally drove over small cherry trees growing in a field July 31, but said he was “trying to turn around to get out of there.”

Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon said Buchanan also drove over asparagus, although he did not admit to that in court Monday.

In addition to a jail sentence, Buchanan could also be ordered to serve a period of probation and pay restitution.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 9 at 9 a.m., and Buchanan was remanded to jail awaiting his sentence.