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He went from wearing a crown to wearing handcuffs. The current reigning Mr. Blossomtime is in jail, accused of drunk driving among other charges.
Agape Mpamira, 19, of Buchanan awaits an April trial date.
Mpamira was crowned Mr. Blossomtime last March and participated in last year's Grand Floral Parade.
The Buchanan High School graduate planned on going to school to become a doctor
Instead Mpamira finds himself in jail.
On November 22, 2012, Niles Police pulled Mpamira over at the corner of Main Street and Front Street near downtown.
WSBT News obtained a 5- page police report that indicated Mpamira was swerving and at times "crossed over the lane line to the left," according to Officer Shane Daniel.
Officer Daniel pulled Mpamira over and arrested him for drunk driving.
He was given a PBT test, which indicated Mpamira had a blood alcohol level of .17%. That's well above the .08 legal limit in Michigan.
The officer placed Mpamira's arms behind his back and locked handcuffs around his wrists.
According to the report, while officers were having Mpamira's car towed away, he slipped out of the cuffs and ran away.
Police searched the area for 40 minutes but couldn't find him.
Later that same day, Mpamira called the Berrien County Sheriff's Department claiming his vehicle was stolen.
According to Sheriff Paul Bailey, a deputy met him and took a report, then later found out Niles police had impounded the car and wanted him on DUI charges.
Berrien County authorities then issued a warrant against Mpamira for filing a false report, as well as DUI and resisting arrest.
Then, on January 9 of this year, police in Kalamazoo arrested Mpamira. He was living in Kalamazoo while attending college there.
He was turned over to the Berrien County Sherriff's Department and booked into jail. Friday he appeared in court and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He has a trial set for April 16, 2013.
The Blossomtime Festival President, Anna Abdelnour, says she was shocked to learn of his arrest and released the following statement:
"Although Agape will no longer serve as Mr. Blossomtime, we wish him and his family the best during this difficult time."
People who know Mpamira say they are very stunned to learn about what's happened to him.
Some attribute his trouble to him still dealing with the loss of his mom, who died in a tragic car accident back in December, 2010.
But these charges aren't the only problems Mpamira is facing.
Bailey says there is an "immigation hold" on him. The U.S. Department of Immigration is questioning Mpamira's citizenship. There is a chance after trial Mpamira could be deported back to Rwanda.
"There is a bond in Mpamira's case, but one can't be posted," explained Bailey.
Due to the immigration issues, Mpamira will have to remain in jail until his case is wrapped up.
If found guilty on all three charges, he faces up to 7 years in jail.
In high school, Mpamira was known as a tennis star and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Mpamira was scheduled to attend the Mr. Blossomtime contest in March and crown the next winner, but he has been stripped of his title.