By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Sentencing has been scheduled for next month for a 24-year-old Grand Rapids man in connection with a home invasion in Olive Township in November of last year in which the homeowner was stabbed.
Jason Neshawn Varnado pleaded no contest Aug. 11 in Ottawa County Circuit Court to charges of first-degree home invasion and killing or torturing an animal. A third charge of felonious assault was dropped in exchange for the no contest plea. He was remanded to the Ottawa County Jail to await sentencing, which has been set for Sept. 21 before Circuit Judge Karen Miedema.
The incident occurred at a home on New Holland Street, just east of 120th Avenue, on Nov. 18. According to an investigation by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect approached the residence that afternoon. After a discussion with the 68-year-old homeowner, Varnado allegedly forced his way into the home and assaulted him. The family dog, named Chief, came to the victim’s aid and engaged the suspect, allowing the victim to retreat safely to a bedroom. The dog was stabbed during the attack and later died of his injuries, the sheriff’s office said.
Varnado fled the scene, but was later found with the assistance of an Ottawa County K-9 unit and the sheriff’s office Drone Team, and taken into custody. The homeowner suffered lacerations to his arm in the assault, according to the sheriff’s office.
Varnado could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison on the home invasion charge and fined up to $5,000.
Zeeland Record
Sentencing has been scheduled for next month for a 24-year-old Grand Rapids man in connection with a home invasion in Olive Township in November of last year in which the homeowner was stabbed.
Jason Neshawn Varnado pleaded no contest Aug. 11 in Ottawa County Circuit Court to charges of first-degree home invasion and killing or torturing an animal. A third charge of felonious assault was dropped in exchange for the no contest plea. He was remanded to the Ottawa County Jail to await sentencing, which has been set for Sept. 21 before Circuit Judge Karen Miedema.
The incident occurred at a home on New Holland Street, just east of 120th Avenue, on Nov. 18. According to an investigation by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect approached the residence that afternoon. After a discussion with the 68-year-old homeowner, Varnado allegedly forced his way into the home and assaulted him. The family dog, named Chief, came to the victim’s aid and engaged the suspect, allowing the victim to retreat safely to a bedroom. The dog was stabbed during the attack and later died of his injuries, the sheriff’s office said.
Varnado fled the scene, but was later found with the assistance of an Ottawa County K-9 unit and the sheriff’s office Drone Team, and taken into custody. The homeowner suffered lacerations to his arm in the assault, according to the sheriff’s office.
Varnado could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison on the home invasion charge and fined up to $5,000.
