Courts

51st Circuit Court sentences, published April 27, 2026

April 27, 2026

HART — The following were sentenced in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, April 27, 2026: Burton Royal Policka, 51, pleaded guilty Feb. 23 to methamphetamine/ecstasy possession and was sentenced April 27 to one day in jail with credit for one day served; 18 months probation; and $598 in fines and costs. Morgan James Pearson, 28, pleaded guilty March 2…

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Former Oceana County man to stand trial in child sex case

April 23, 2026

HART – Jesuz Chapa, 63, who most recently resided in Dallas, Texas, was bound over to stand trial in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 21, for allegedly sexually abusing a minor child repeatedly between 2000 and 2003, stated Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in a press release. “Chapa was recently extradited to Oceana County, from Texas, by the…

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Mears couple plead for justice for their son murdered 7 years ago

April 15, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor LUDINGTON — April 16, 2026, marks seven years since William and Denita Buchanan’s 32-year-old son, Billy, was murdered, and the man who was accused of killing him remains free. “We’re going into the seventh year, and we’re no further than the day it happened,” said Denita. The murder, assault and weapon charges against Corey Ryan…

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Oceana County man sentenced to prison in 2018 CSC case

April 15, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 64-year-old Oceana County man was sentenced to three and a half to 15 years in prison Monday, April 13, by Judge Susan K. Sniegowski in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old child in 2018. Ricky Lee Eschman pleaded guilty to three felony counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct,…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published April 15, 2026

April 15, 2026

HART — The following were sentenced this week in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: Brett Daniel Robart, 42, pleaded no contest Feb, 23 to third-degree fleeing a police officer and operating while impaired and was sentenced April 13 to 209 days in jail with credit for 209 days served and $648 in fines and costs.  Brandon David Osterman, 46, pleaded…

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