Alan Kent Prichard was sentenced by Barry County Circuit Court Judge Amy McDowell to 40 to 60 months in prison on Monday for drunk driving.

Originally, because of problems with the case, Prichard was allowed to pleaded guilty to felony OWI, third or subsequent offense, and would spend time in jail, instead of going to prison, Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor-Pratt said.

When he pleaded guilty, McDowell warned Prichard  that he had to follow her pre-sentence order to go into inpatient treatment or his agreement would be null and void, Nakfoor-Pratt said.

Prichard went into inpatient treatment, but then walked away. “After we found out he did not follow her orders, we asked her to sentence him to prison. Judge McDowell was willing to give him a chance; she warned him, and when he didn’t follow her order, she sentenced him to the maximum for that charge. We’re pleased and appreciate that she did what she said she would,” Nakfoor-Pratt said.

Prichard has a total of 12 OWI convictions over several years,in four counties; Berrien, Allegan, Van Buren and now Barry.