Man who left meth in car parked by courthouse sent to prison.

Daniel Sampson-Phillips with defense attorney Matthew Ryan Kacel.

Man who left meth in car parked by courthouse sent to prison.

#OceanaCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART – A 27-year-old Twin Lake man was sentenced to 23 months to 40 years in prison Monday, June 3, in 27th Circuit Court for meth possession and fourth-offense habitual offender.

Daniel Peter Sampson-Phillips, of 2111 W. Creekwood Dr., testified in April that he parked his car outside the Oceana County Courthouse with 14 grams of methamphetamine inside it.

Sampson-Phillips previously testified before Judge Robert D. Springstead that he reported to the Oceana County Courthouse last fall to appear for a contempt of court charge. After he was arrested and his car was impounded, it was found to have a large quantity of methamphetamine inside of it.

Sampson-Phillips’ attorney Matthew Kacel said he has advised his client that “no matter what you do, you have to get away from this meth. His life has completely unraveled in the last year.”

Kacel said Sampson-Phillips has a pending fleeing and eluding charge in Muskegon County, which will likely result in a consecutive term.

“I really messed up – extremely,” said Sampson-Phillips to Judge Springstead.

“I don’t even remember the last year and a half. I was so out of my mind. I was so f—ing gone, pardon my French.”

Sampson-Phillips said he plans to attend Narcotics Anonymous and get a job after he completes his prison sentence.

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 10-46 months, said Judge Springstead.

Sampson-Phillips has nine prior felony convictions, five misdemeanors and a juvenile history including home invasion, the judge said.

“A prison sentence is appropriate,” said Springstead. Sampson-Phillips was out on bond for another charge when he was arrested on this charge.

“One of the most telling things is that you said you have ADHD and schizophrenia,” said the judge. It’s common for people suffering from mental health issues to have drug problems, he said. “You need to seek help for your mental health issues.”

Sampson-Phillips pleaded guilty in April. Due to his habitual offender status, the maximum possible penalty for his crime was elevated to life in prison, Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon said.

He received credit for 134 days served in jail.

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