Pinckney man sentenced to jail, probation for disturbing behavior at Food Truck Friday

HOWELL — A local man who exhibited disturbing behavior at Pinckney’s Food Truck Friday on June 21 was sentenced to jail and probation on Thursday.

Jeremy Mills, 38, of Pinckney, was initially charged with kidnapping child enticement (a felony), two counts of assaulting a police officer (a felony), two counts of assault and battery (a misdemeanor) and one county of disorderly person jostling (a misdemeanor).

At the time of the incident, Pinckney Police responded to a call about a stranger playing with children by grabbing, tickling and holding them.

According to a news release, Mills had joined a game of football catch. When an officer approached him, Mills threw the football at the officer. He told the officer he was a friend of the children's parents, but others reported hearing Mills tell the kids he was their uncle.

Police said Mills appeared intoxicated and wasn't cooperative. A second officer was called. Mills resisted being handcuffed but was eventually restrained.

The release said Mills grabbed a young boy, who feared Mills would take him from his parents. It also said Mills stepped between the boy and his parents when they called for him to come to them.

Mills pled guilty to four of the six charges in Livingston County's 44th Circuit Court in front of Judge Matthew McGivney in mid-July. The kidnapping charge and one of the assault and battery charges were dismissed.

Mills was released on bond July 12, but his bond was later revoked after he violated the conditions of his release, 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 purchase a pizza from a nearby restaurant.

“Not that it excuses what happened, but I think it explains it,” Gatesman said.

During the hearing, an attorney for the prosecution said the kidnapping child enticement charge was dropped so the 9-year-old victim wouldn’t have to testify. The victim’s mother was present to give an impact statement and read a letter from the victim for the judge to consider during sentencing.

“(The incident) has left us with an emotional toll and affects us in our everyday life. As parents, our primary instinct is to protect our child,” she said through tears. “The realization that we are unable to shield our child from such a traumatic event has filled us with an overwhelming sense of guilt and helplessness.”

More: Pinckney man pleads guilty after disturbing behavior at Food Truck Friday

She went on to describe how her child has suffered from anxiety and stress, especially in public spaces. She said he now has a fear of adult men he doesn’t 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 inflicted on us when making your decision. The perpetrator's actions have caused emotional pain and suffering and it is crucial that they are held accountable for their actions to prevent such a tragedy from happening to another family.

"Please impose a sentence that reflects the gravity of this crime and that provides a sense of justice for our child and for our family. The path to healing is long and arduous, but knowing that justice has been served will be a significant step for rebuilding our lives.”

Mills also gave a statement to the judge before sentencing.

“My name is Jeremy and I'm an alcoholic. Over the course of the last few years, I have developed a very serious habit. I am embarrassed now of myself, I embarrassed my children, family, friends and anyone that encountered me. The day of my arrest, I had no intention of (harming) anyone in any way. I am beyond sorry and apologize, especially to the young man I scared with my behavior."

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Mills said, while out on bond, he sought help from a therapist and attended AA meetings.

“Mr. Mills, your behavior ... is deeply concerning,” McGivney said Thursday. “Your actions have forever harmed a sense of security that we as a community value.”

McGivney said he considered that Mills sought help on his own. He also considered that Mills has nine prior misdemeanors.

Mills was sentenced to 180 days in county jail with credit for 36 days served and two years probation. He must also attend 90 AA meetings in 90 days following his release.

— Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com .

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Pinckney man sentenced to jail, probation for disturbing behavior at Food Truck Friday