Courts

Newaygo County jury acquits man of CSC charges

March 24, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor WHITE CLOUD — A jury found a 52-year-old man not guilty of all charges in a child sex case in Newaygo County’s 27th Circuit Court Thursday, March 19. Samuel Robert King was accused of sexually assaulting a girl who was 12 years old at the time, Jan. 1, 2023 in the City of Newaygo. After…

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Man extradited from Texas charged with sexually assaulting child

March 12, 2026

HART – Jesuz Chapa, 63, most recently residing in Dallas, Texas, was arraigned in Oceana County’s 79th District Court Tuesday, March 10, 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 U.S. Marshals Service under Operation…

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Man sentenced to prison for threatening deputies with hatchet, knives

March 9, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A 31-year-old man was sentenced to 14 months to four years in prison for a conviction of assault with a dangerous weapon in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Monday, March 9. Cody Morgan Denton threatened two Oceana County sheriff’s deputies with a hatchet and two knives, said Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Bizon. …

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79th District Court arraignments, published March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

HART — The following were arraigned recently in Oceana County’s 79th District Court: Felonies Jesse James Bays, 44, of Pentwater, methamphetamine/ecstasy possession. Offense date: Jan. 20, 2026. Agency: Oceana County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). Bail: $5,000/personal recognizance (PR). Preliminary exam: March 24 at 1 p.m. Adrianna Rae Avila, 28, of Muskegon, methamphetamine/ecstasy possession. Offense date: Oct. 6, 2025. Agency: OCSO. Bail:…

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

HART — The following were sentenced recently in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Gabriel Knight Cisneros, 42, pleaded guilty Dec. 5 to third-degree fleeing a police officer and was sentenced Feb. 23 to 210 days in jail with credit for one day served; one year probation; and $598 in fines and costs. – Chelce Jo Beagle, 32, pleaded guilty…

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