By Judy Reed

Jeffrey Klein

A former Cedar Springs man, who claimed health problems related to his weight prevented him from appearing in court on a bomb threat charge, has been sentenced to 18 months to four years in prison.

Jeffrey Klein, 44, was charged with making the bomb threat against Cedar Springs Mobile Estates in August of 2012. He reportedly had a number of violations/issues with management there, and admitted to police that he made the bomb threat because he was upset with them.

A felony warrant was issued by the Prosecutor’s Office, and because Klein had a number of medical problems, he was allowed to appear at court. He did arrive at court on the scheduled date, but, while still outside in the parking lot, he presented court staff with a medical condition and was transported to the hospital. The following week he arrived and was arraigned on his charge in 63rd District Court. When he heard they would be remanding him to jail, he presented court staff with another medical condition that required him to be transported to the hospital. A warrant for failure to appear was then issued.

Klein then moved to Grand Rapids. He missed several court dates, claiming his weight prevented him from appearing. He was arrested earlier this month when caught driving a vehicle and remanded to jail on the bomb threat charge.

According to The Grand Rapids Press, Klein promised the judge he would abide by all probationary terms if set free, but Judge Dennis Lieber cited Klein’s 14 felonies, 13 misdemeanors, and a pattern of non-compliance, before issuing the prison sentence.