Man sent to jail for stealing car while on meth ‘bender.’

Dustin Himes, Jr. with attorney Becky Lederer.

Man sent to jail for stealing car while on meth ‘bender.’

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 25-year-old Walkerville man was sentenced in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Jan. 14, to serve five months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term for stealing a car while on a meth “bender” last October.

Dustin Allen Himes, Jr., of 6501 E. Rossell Lake Rd., was on a “methamphetamine bender which had lasted several weeks,” said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.

Himes is convicted of unlawful driving away of an automobile (UDAA). Charges of larceny from a motor vehicle and second-offense habitual offender were dismissed.

“He took the car of an innocent bystander,” said Spaniola.

He was convicted of a felony of meth possession in 2017 in Saint Joseph County, according to his court file.

“My client fully recognizes that he has a drug problem that he needs to get under control,” said Himes’ attorney Becky Lederer. The attorney asked Judge Susan K. Sniegowski to allow Himes to be released into an inpatient drug facility as soon as a bed is available.

Judge Sniegowski said she will allow Himes to go into inpatient treatment when room is available.

Himes said he knows it’s a “long, long road to recovery,” but he recognizes his problem. “My parents were addicts, and my grandparents were addicts.” He said he has dealt with the emotional trauma of his two brothers dying.

“Mr. Himes was intoxicated on drugs at the time of the offense,” Spaniola said. “It’s no excuse, but it does give some explanation. Your substance abuse problem is what is leading you down this path.”

The judge also ordered two years probation and gave Himes credit for 95 days served in jail.

The theft of the 2006 GMC Envoy was reported the evening of Oct. 10. The vehicle owner witnessed it being stolen from the Lowe’s parking lot on US 10 in Ludington. It was recovered a short time later after it was found abandoned behind Walmart about 1/4 mile west of Lowe’s.

Local law enforcement engaged in a manhunt for Himes who was eventually apprehended after a citizen reported seeing him attempting to flag down passing cars in the area.

Himes is also convicted of a misdemeanor of larceny $200-$1,000, which runs concurrently to his car theft conviction.

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