COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A suspect charged in connection with the August 2016 death of a Bronson man at the Cary Lake Public Access site was sentenced on Monday in Branch County Circuit Court after he entered into a plea agreement with Branch County Prosecutors.
33-year-old Ricky Ledale Johnson of Jonesville entered a no contest plea on January 22nd, 2018 to a charge of Allowing an Intoxicated Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle Causing Death.
Johnson was given a one year jail sentence with credit for 150 days already served. He was also placed on probation for two years. All jail time over 10 months was suspended.
During his probation, Johnson can not be in possession of alcohol or drugs. He also can not go into bars and must follow an 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew.
In exchange for the plea, the original charge of Failure to Stop at the Scene of an Accident-When at Fault-Resulting in Death as well as a sentencing enhancement for being an Habitual Offender-third offense were dismissed by prosecutors.
43-year-old Jonathan Arnold McGuire lost his life in the incident.
According to Branch County court documents, Johnson was the driver of a convertible that drove off a dock and into the water during the wee hours of August 29, 2016. Johnson denied he was the driver of the vehicle.
Johnson must also pay nearly $1,100 in fines and costs. A restitution hearing was scheduled for May 1st, 2018.
