Courts

Jury finds man guilty of sexually assaulting 4-year-old girl

June 8, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A jury found Jeffrey Scott Barrett, 42, of Gwinn, Mich., guilty Friday, June 5, of four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) and one count of first-degree child abuse following a four-day trial in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court. “Between the fall of 2010 and December 2011, Barrett repeatedly sexually assaulted the…

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Man pleads no contest to child abuse in connection to baby’s death

June 8, 2026

  By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 34-year-old man pleaded no contest to second-degree child abuse in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, June 8, in connection to the death of  a 7-month-old boy who was his girlfriend’s son. Devin Austin Brown-Fowler is expected to receive a sentence of 43 months to 10 years in prison, said Oceana…

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79th District Court felony arraignments, published June 4, 2026

June 4, 2026

HART — The following were arraigned recently on felony charges in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Brett Anthony Peoples, 34, of Hart, third-offense operating while intoxicated and a misdemeanor of driving while license suspended. Offense date: May 21, 2026. Agency: Michigan State Police (MSP). Bail: $7,500/cash/surety/10 percent. Preliminary exam: June 9 at 1 p.m. Timothy John Werkema, 43, of Howard…

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Hesperia man sent to prison for stealing tools valued at nearly $16,000

June 3, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 39-year-old Hesperia man with an extensive criminal history was sentenced to a prison term of 14 months to five years for a conviction of larceny $1,000-$20,000 in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, June 1. Jason Alan Ennis pleaded guilty to the charge Feb. 23, 2026, according to court records.  “Jason Ennis…

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Judge denies defense’s motion in child death case

June 1, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — The judge presiding over a criminal case against against a 27-year-old mother and her 34-year-old boyfriend who are charged with multiple counts of child abuse in connection to the death of her son, 7-month-old Maverick Lyle Bouck, denied a motion presented by the mother’s attorney in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, June…

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