Amish men plead guilty, sentenced in alcohol-related ruckus Each avoids jail and probation

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Four Amish men pleaded guilty and were sentenced Wednesday for causing a disturbance, underage drinking, and giving authorities false names and/or ages in connection with a Dec. 29 incident in Beaverton Township.

Gladwin County residents Levei J. Mast, 20; Andrew B. Zook, 19; Joseph S. Miller, 20; and Joseph J. Troyer, 19, each pleaded guilty to the charges before Gladwin’s 80th District Court Magistrate Elizabeth Post.

Each were charged with underage possession of alcohol, punishable by 90 days in jail and/or $100 fine; disturbing the peace, punishable by 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine; and furnishing false information to a peace officer, punishable by 90 days in jail and/or a $100 fine. Each escaped jail and probation time, and they were ordered to pay $700 in fines and $150 in court costs. They were able to use $315 from their bonds to apply toward the fines and costs. Each applied $350 for 10 percent of their $3,500 bonds. Of that, the state keeps 10 percent of the 10 percent applied.

All four faced Post individually and all four told her they were guilty.

Mast went first.

“I want to plead guilty and settle this,” Mast told Post.

Post continued to hear guilty pleas from Zook, and then Miller.

“I’m pleading guilty because I am guilty,” Miller told Post when he was asked if he was threatened or coerced to plead guilty.

Troyer, who also pleaded guilty, said he didn’t remember what false information he gave the officer, but he remembered it was false.

Post accepted all four men’s pleas.

While the Gladwin County Sheriff’s deputies said a person called the department saying the men were tossing beer cans from a buggy into the roadway at Beaverton and Bard roads, none of the men admitted to that. They said they caused a disturbance with their loud music. There was no mention of tossed beer cans. Yet, the four admitted to having beer, whiskey and vodka in their possession.

Gladwin County Sheriff Mike Shea said there has been a rise in issues with the Amish population, particularly on Sundays with alcohol and the younger generation.

Resident Cyndi Tipton, who lives on the Gladwin and Clare County border, said such incidents are frequent and consistent.

“This kind of stuff happens all the time with them,” said Tipton.

It is unknown if the four culprits will have to face the bishop, the person who heads the church for the district and oversees the residents. Those familiar with the sect suspect there will be a meeting.