Courts

Man sentenced for ethnic intimidation of pharmacist, police officer

January 5, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 61-year-old Hart man was sentenced to 11 days in jail with credit for 11 days served for a conviction of ethnic intimidation in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Jan. 5. Fabian Vasquez Jr., “unleashed a tirade” of profanity-laced ethnic slurs toward a pharmacist and then made similar remarks to the police…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Jan. 3, 2026

January 3, 2026

HART — The following were arraigned recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Felonies – Mercedes Laverle Crothers, 19, of Shelby, first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC), fourth-degree CSC and accosting children for immoral purposes. Offense date: Dec. 1, 2025. Preliminary exam: Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. Bail: $50,000/cash. – Aaron Carlisle Kelly, 46, of Paris, Mich., felony charges of possession…

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Man sentenced to prison for third-offense OWI

December 18, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 31-year-old man was sentenced to 19 months to five years in prison for a conviction of third-offense operating while intoxicated in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, Dec. 15. Shawn Michael Rosencrans pleaded guilty to the charge Nov. 13. Charges of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and driving while license suspended were dismissed. Judge Susan…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Dec. 18, 2025

December 18, 2025

HART — The following were sentenced this week in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Daniel Peter Sampson-Phillips, 33, pleaded guilty Nov. 3 to possession/sale of a taser and assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and was sentenced Dec. 15 to 13 months to four years in prison with credit for 94 days served in jail and $266 in fines and costs. In a…

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Jury finds man guilty of domestic violence

December 17, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A six-person jury found a 39-year-old man guilty of a misdemeanor of domestic violence in Oceana County’s 79th District Court Monday, Dec. 15. Kurtis Scott Temple was sentenced to 10 days in jail with credit for one day served; one year probation; and $735 in fines and costs, according to court records. “It…

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