HOWELL – A local man who exhibited disturbing behavior at Pinckney’s Food Truck on Friday, June 21, was sentenced to prison and probation Thursday.
Jeremy Mills, 38, of Pinckney, was initially charged with abduction and enticement of a child (a felony), two counts of assault on a police officer (a felony), two counts of assault (a misdemeanor) and one count of burglary (a misdemeanor).
At the time of the incident, Pinckney Police were responding to a call that a stranger was playing with children by grabbing, tickling, and holding them.
According to a press release, Mills had been participating in a football game of catch. When an officer approached him, Mills threw the football at him. He told the officer he was a friend of the children’s parents, but others reported hearing Mills tell the children he was their uncle.
According to police, Mills appeared drunk and was not cooperating. A second officer was called. Mills resisted being handcuffed, but was eventually detained.
The press release states that Mills grabbed a young boy who feared Mills would take him away from his parents. It goes on to say that Mills stepped between the boy and his parents as they called him over.
Mills pleaded guilty to four of the six charges in mid-July before Judge Matthew McGivney in Livingston County’s 44th District Court. The kidnapping charge and one of the assault charges were dropped.
Mills was released on bail on July 12, but his bail was later revoked after he violated release conditions, including drinking alcohol and being near the area where Food Truck Friday was taking place on July 19.
According to defense attorney Mark Gatesman, Mills was in the area to buy a pizza at a nearby restaurant.
“It’s not an excuse for what happened, but I think it explains it,” Gatesman said.
During the hearing, a lawyer for the prosecution said the child abduction charge was dropped so the 9-year-old victim would not have to testify. The victim’s mother was present to give a statement and read a letter from the victim, which the judge will consider when handing down the sentence.
“(The incident) has taken a huge emotional toll on us and impacts our daily lives. As parents, our primary instinct is to protect our child,” she said through tears. “Realizing that we cannot protect our child from such a traumatic event has filled us with an overwhelming sense of guilt and helplessness.”
More: Pinckney man pleads guilty to disruptive behavior at food truck Friday
She further described how her child suffered from anxiety and stress, especially in public. She said he was now afraid of grown men he did not know.
“A sense of safety and normalcy that (we) once took for granted has been shattered,” the victim’s mother told the judge. “I implore you to consider the severity of the harm caused to us in your decision. The perpetrator’s actions have caused emotional pain and suffering, and it is vital that he is held accountable for his actions to prevent such a tragedy from happening to another family.”
“Please impose a sentence that reflects the seriousness of this crime and provides a sense of justice for our child and our family. The road to healing is long and arduous, but knowing that justice has been served will be an important step in rebuilding our lives.”
Mills also made a statement to the judge before the verdict was announced.
“My name is Jeremy and I am an alcoholic. Over the last few years I have developed a very serious addiction. I am now ashamed of myself, I have embarrassed my children, my family, my friends and everyone I have encountered. On the day of my arrest I had no intention of harming anyone in any way. I am eternally sorry and I apologize, especially to the young man I frightened with my behavior.”
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Mills said he sought help from a therapist and attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings while on bail.
“Mr. Mills, your conduct … is deeply concerning,” McGivney said Thursday. “Your actions have forever damaged the sense of safety that we value as a community.”
McGivney said he believes Mills sought help on his own, noting that Mills has already committed nine offenses.
Mills was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 36 days credit for time served, two years’ probation and must attend 90 AA meetings within 90 days of his release.
— Contact reporter Tess Ware at [email protected].
