Man faces jail for assault with police baton.

Benjamin Kittel with attorney Julie Springstead-Waltz.

Man faces jail for assault with police baton.

#OceanaCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART – A 24-year-old Shelby man faces serving one year in jail after pleading guilty in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Nov. 25, to a felony of assault with a dangerous weapon.

“I had a military stock police baton,” said Benjamin Anthony Kittel, of 1010 S. 42nd Ave., during his testimony. “I swung it to knock his phone out of his hand.”

The baton did not touch the male victim, Kittel told Judge Bradley G. Lambrix. The assault occurred Aug. 4 in Benona Township.

Sentencing guidelines in the case are 5-23 months, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon, and he is recommending a cap not to exceed 12 months.

The maximum penalty for assault with a dangerous weapon is four years in prison.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 3 at 9 a.m.

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