Parolee with 25 prior convictions sent back to prison for home invasion.

Riggs appears in 27th Circuit Court via Zoom video conferencing during recent hearing.

Parolee with 25 prior convictions sent back to prison for home invasion.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — A 46-year-old Hart man was sentenced to five to 30 years in prison in 27th Circuit Court Monday, March 8, for convictions of second-degree home invasion and fourth-offense habitual offender.

Chad Mitchell Riggs, of 6749 W. Taylor Rd., pleaded guilty to the charges Jan. 11.

Judge Robert D. Springstead said Riggs has 11 prior felony convictions and 14 prior misdemeanor convictions.

Riggs’ long criminal history raised his maximum possible sentence to life in prison, said Judge Springstead. Sentencing guidelines are 29-114 months for the minimum term.

“I know that Mr. Riggs is very disappointed in himself,” said his attorney Anna Rapa. “I think that it’s important to note that although his history is extensive and concerning, in this particular case he was motivated by concern for his dad and being able to provide for his dad who is not well. He made what he knows was a very bad decision. He calls it ‘just a stupid choice.’ He asked me to convey that to the court as well as his sincere apology for making a such dumb choices in the midst of a very diffcult time for him.”

“I apologize for everything — my actions,” said Riggs. “I appreciate everything toward trying to get me another opportunity when I get out.”

“Mr. Riggs, you’re always sorry when you come to court,” said Judge Springstead. “You always come across as a decent human being. If I just met you in court and we talked and I didn’t know your history I wouldn’t have guessed that you have 11 prior felonies, 14 prior misdemeanors and a juvenile record and such a history of breaking into people’s houses. It’s kind of sad because you do have so many good qualities. I don’t know if it’s alcohol or what it is, but you just can’t really control yourself when you’re out in the public and not commit criminal offenses. And it’s sad because I do see some potential in you at some times. You’re kind of lucky with this record because you’re close to being a violent offender fourth, which if you had the right combination of prior offenses and depending on the offense that would you commit next, that could carry a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison. That’s the rest of your adult life. That’s the point that you’re at with this.”

Riggs, who is lodged in the Oceana County Jail, appeared for his pretrial hearing via Zoom video conferencing due to COVID-19. 

Because Riggs was on parole at the time of the offense, he will not receive credit for the time he has spent in jail, and his sentence will be served consecutively to any parole sanctions he receives, said Judge Springstead.

He was on parole for a 2017 conviction of felonious assault in Oceana County in which he was sentenced to 18 months to 15 years.

Riggs’s felony convictions include home invasion (four convictions), car theft (two convictions), breaking and entering, receiving and concealing stolen property, larceny in a building, felonious assault, and assaulting/resisting/obstructing police, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. 

Riggs testified last January that on Nov. 1 or 2 he broke into a house in Benona Township and stole a TV. 

“It looked like no one was home,” he said. He drove his truck to the location; broke out a window; and stole the TV.

“They had me on camera,” he told Judge Springstead about how he was caught. 

Riggs was ordered to pay $900 in restitution.

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