View full sizeJeffery Fick— A self-styled retired gambler who happens to be the son of an Auburn-area lottery winner will be spending the next few months behind bars for stealing an elderly man’s car.
In a noticeably more somber demeanor than he displayed at his August arraignment, Jeffery L. Fick, 31, this morning appeared before Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran. The judge sentenced Fick to 180 days in jail with credit for 15 days served and an additional 185 days deferred. Upon his release, Fick is to serve three years of probation. He must also pay $970.71 in court costs and restitution.
“I just know I made some serious mistakes,” Fick told the judge. “I apologize to all parties involved. I’m trying to do the right thing. I been through some hard times in my life. I did what I thought I had to do.”
Bay City police arrested Fick Aug. 2 after spotting him driving in a stolen 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Fick told officers his car was in the shop and he took the Malibu from a Bay City garage a few nights before.
The car belonged a 90-year-old man whom Fick did not know, court records show.
Fick in September pleaded guilty to one count of attempted unlawfully driving away an automobile.
Fick's father, Leroy N. Fick, in June 2010 won nearly $2 million in Michigan's Make Me Rich! lottery. Controversy arose when the elder Fick admitted he continued using a Michigan Bridge Card even after winning the jackpot.
At his arraignment, Jeffery Fick said he is a retired gambler and that he trusted his father to take care of him.
Bay County Prosecutor Kurt C. Asbury said today that Jeffery Fick has a lengthy criminal record including two felony and nine misdemeanor convictions.
“What’s going on?” the judge asked Fick. “Why do you do this? You stole an elderly man’s car and left him stranded.”
“I was under a time in my life that I had no vehicle and I had people relying on me to get them transportation,” Fick replied. “I shouldn’t have did it, I know I shouldn’t have did it.”
Fick said he is trying to adjust his behavior by keeping drugs out of his life and seeking employment.
The judge asked Fick to elaborate on the hard times he said plagued his life.
“I just never really had money to get what I needed in my life,” Fick responded.
“Has that changed?” Sheeran asked.
“Not really,” Fick replied.
“Is your father helping you out?”
“He’s doing what he can, sir.”
Leroy Fick is charged with two misdemeanor counts of possession of illegal fireworks in Bay County District Court.
A recently-aired episode of the reality show "Lottery Changed My Life" features the Ficks. The episode is reairing at 6 p.m. Sunday on TLC (Charter channel 41).