Niles man gets prison time on drug charges

Ward

NILES — A Niles man was sentenced to prison on drug related charges Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

Walter Ward III, 63, of Niles, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, resisting and obstructing police and disorderly person and was sentenced to concurrent prison terms of 14 months to four years and 14 months to two years on the cocaine and resisting charges. He was given credit for one day served for the disorderly charge. He must pay $316.

The incident occurred Oct. 2, 2023 in Niles.

Defense attorney Daniel French said that while Ward is no stranger to the criminal justice system, having served time in prison previously, he has been trying to stay on the right path. He said Ward has completed outpatient and inpatient substance abuse programs since his arrest.

French asked for a probation sentence in the Swift & Sure program.

Ward apologized to the court. “I realize I made a mistake, my dad had just passed,” he said. “I know I made a big mistake.”

Berrien County Trial Judge Jennifer Smith noted that Ward has a history of these types of convictions in the past. “I’m sentencing you to prison based on your record,” she said. “I don’t think it’s a good use of our resources to place you probation or Swift & Sure.”

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