Courts

Man faces prison term for unarmed robbery

January 6, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 58-year-old Hart man faces serving two years in prison after pleading guilty to unarmed robbery in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Jan. 6. The robbery conviction against Francisco Lujando Paniagua, of 513 S. Griswold St., stems from an incident involving a BB gun and a juvenile accomplice last March in the…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Dec. 20, 2024

December 20, 2024

HART — The following were arraigned recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Arnulfo Rios, Jr., 53, of 1354 W. McKinley Rd, Rothbury, two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Preliminary exam: Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. – Andres Rodriguez, 41, of 2725 E. Forrest St., Rothbury; possession of cocaine, heroin or another narcotic. Case bound over to…

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79th District Court sentencings, published Dec. 20, 2024

December 20, 2024

HART — The following were sentenced recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Jeffrey Louis Kaiser, 65, of 18950 Elli Lane, Fruitport, pleaded guilty Dec. 10 to operating while intoxicated and was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; Alcoholics Anonymous twice a week; one year probation; and $1,155 in fines and costs. If he…

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Robbery suspects arraigned

December 18, 2024

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART TOWNSHIP — Two Shelby men accused of robbing the La Mexicana De Pancho grocery store at gunpoint Friday evening, Dec. 13, were arraigned in Oceana County’s 79th District Court Tuesday, Dec. 17. Jorge Soriano Benitez, 38, whose address is listed as 98 Sessions Rd., and Miguel Angel Vargas-Mares, 23, whose address is listed as…

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Homeless man faces prison term for invading home

December 17, 2024

HART  — A 31-year-old homeless man is looking at a three-year prison term after pleading guilty during a pretrial hearing in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court to second-degree home invasion and methamphetamine possession Monday, Dec. 16. Rob Roger Smith faces a prison term of three to 15 years for the conviction, said Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Bizon. Charges of…

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