ESCANABA - A Bark River man was sentenced to six months in jail this morning on charges of embezzlement relating to failed property transactions. The judgment was handed down in Delta County Circuit Court followed by a round of applause from victims attending today's hearing.
Jason Bradley Ives, 32, was sentenced on two counts of larceny by conversion $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. He had pleaded no contest to the two charges for failing to refund two parties out of separate down payments they paid on the same house at 6556 C Road in Bark River Township.
After Ives apologized for not refunding the down payments, Judge Stephen Davis ordered him to six months in the county jail on both counts one and two, to be served at the same time. He will be placed on probation for six months and will not be allowed to enter any gaming institutions.
In count one, Ives was ordered to pay restitution of $4,000 to victims Andrew and Heather Thomas, $4,000 in fines, and $588 additional fines and costs.
In count two, Ives was ordered to pay restitution of $10,000 to victim Daniel Sandahl, $10,000 in fines, and $68 in costs.
Investigation by the Delta County Sheriff Department revealed the Thomas's paid Ives a $4,000 down payment to buy the house in a land contract with a closing date of Aug. 9, 2010.
Sandahl paid Ives $10,000 as down payments on the home with an Aug. 10, 2010, closing date on a land contract.
Prior to adjourning today's hearing, Judge Davis reminded those attending that the file is not yet closed because of a pending trial in August.
Ives faces one count of larceny by conversion and one count of false pretenses $20,000 or more in a circuit court trial Aug. 7-9. False pretenses is a 10-year felony. In a related civil complaint, Ives and his wife, Jennifer Ives, are scheduled for a bench trial in circuit court on Sept. 13-14.
In addition, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is in the process of making a decision on allegations that Ives violated building and occupational codes while constructing a home in Rapid River. He is also under investigation for alleged home remodeling scams in Menominee County.