A search of a man’s home in rural Cass County, about 45 miles outside Kalamazoo, has resulted in an arrest for drug charges. The Michigan man was arrested after police found methamphetamines and paraphernalia in his home. Police reportedly found two children living in the home.
Detectives from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office drug enforcement team found the meth while searching the man’s home earlier this month. The man was arrested immediately and the children were taken by Child Protective Services. The man was charged with maintaining a drug house and possession of methamphetamines. He was taken to the Cass County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $15,000 bond. Law enforcement is still investigating the case.
Drug possession charges, including possession of methamphetamines, carry fines and penalties that are wide-ranging and can vary significantly from state to state. A fine can be as little as $100, or cost thousands of dollars and include months or years of jail time. Simple drug possession charges carry lighter sentences, while charges related to distribution and manufacturing illegal substances carry stiffer penalties.
Many states have enacted mandatory sentencing guidelines, which vary based on type of drug, amount of drug and prior convictions. In other cases, states have established drug courts, which are more focused on rehabilitation. When facing drug possession charges it may be valuable to consider alternatives to prison, such as drug treatment. This can be the best thing for those who are in the grips of crippling addiction. At the same time, it’s important to have a solid understanding of how treatment programs and probationary periods work in order to avoid being struck with time behind bars.
Source: Kalamazoo Gazette, “Cass County man arrested after police find methamphetamine in his home where two children were living,” Aug. 27, 2012
