Crime Correspondent: Cass County

Michael Vinson found with a large amount of both cocaine and marijuana

Michael Vinson is a documented long-time drug and criminal offender from the Berrien County area. He recently made the mistake of trying to ply new territory in Cass County.As a result of the presence of the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team (CCDET), several significant Dowagiac crack cocaine dealers have been arrested and sent to prison in the past year. The Prosecutors office also has a 96 percent jury trial conviction rate against drug offenders who have taken them to trial in the Cass County Circuit Court over the past five years. Other drug offenders connected to the area are now facing federal charges as a result of collaboration between U.S. officials and local law enforcement.Vinson presently lists a home address of 410 Maple Street, Dowagiac.His drug and criminal activity in Berrien County goes back 17 years. Vinson has the following Berrien County convictions: resisting and obstructing a police officer in 1991; delivery of cocaine in 1992; possession of marijuana in 1993; possession of marijuana in 1994; disturbing the peace in 1995; possession of marijuana in 1996; domestic violence in 2001; domestic violence second offense in 2002; domestic violence third offense in 2004; attempted resisting and obstructing a police officer in 2004; possession of marijuana in 2005.<br />Vinson also has two Cass County convictions: a second offense drug violation in 2005 and receiving and concealing stolen property in 2005.In his current two cases in Cass County the defendant was facing the following charges: two counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of cocaine, two counts of posession with intent to deliver marijuana, maintaining a drug house, posession of marijuana and fleeing and eluding a police officer. He was also charged with being a fourth offense felony offender in each file.Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle was ready to try the first of Vinson's two cases on Tuesday when Vinson abruptly changed his mind and pled guilty.His trial arose from Vinson driving through downtown Dowagiac in the late night hours of Nov. 30, 2007. Cass County Sheriff's Deputies attempted to pull Vinson's 2008 Dodge Sedan for not having a registered license plate. Vinson had other plans and careened through the streets of Dowagiac, at one point turning onto Jay Street from West Railroad where he appeared to be opening his car door.Deputy's thought he was going to attempt to run but Vinson then closed his door and continued onto Oak Street where he eventually stopped. Dowagiac Officers who responded to assist the Cass County Sheriff's Deputy as well as a Cass County Reserve Officer went to the location where Vinson had opened his door on Jay Street and located several individually wrapped baggies of cocaine and a large amount of marijuana in the parking lot.Vinson was also set for trial on Oct. 21. In that case, members of the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team (CCDET) executed a search warrant at Vinson's Maple Street residence on Feb. 13. At his house they found a large amount of both cocaine and marijuana.As part of defendant's plea, the Prosecutor's office agreed that the convictions in each of the two current files would be sentenced concurrently. Lesser included offense charges of cocaine possession and marijuana possession were dismissed administratively.Vohwinkle stated at the conclusion of the case that "Drug dealers will be shown no mercy in Cass County. Sell drugs here and we will send you to prison."