HOLLAND — A former Holland business owner and well-known public figure will serve less than a year in jail after violating the privacy of several women in Kent and Ottawa counties.

The light sentence isn’t sitting well with at least one authority close to the case. 

Mark Edwin Dykema, 40, was sentenced June 18 to 180 days in jail and 36 months of probation after pleading no contest to surveilling an unclothed person and using a computer to commit a crime in Kent County.

Authorities said Dykema took numerous "upskirt" photos of women. Another victim told investigators Dykema admitted to placing cameras in her home while her family was on vacation. 

Dykema previously served as the Tulip Time board chair and was a part-owner of several Biggby Coffee franchises.

Big crimes, small penalty

The limited time Dykema will spend behind bars has raised concerns for Kent County Prosecutor Christopher R. Becker.

Becker acknowledged the sentence falls within guidelines but expressed disappointment given the "number of crimes he did."

Investigators reported finding over 375 files from multiple locations, including Eighth Street in Holland, on Dykema's devices during their investigation.

“It’s fairly troubling behavior, but in Michigan, violent offenders go to prison and non-violent offenders generally get less,” Becker said. “It can be frustrating sometimes. But we are happy we go some time.”

Dykema also received a concurrent 180-day jail sentence on May 19 in Ottawa County's 20th Circuit Court. He pleaded no contest in that jurisdiction to surveilling an unclothed person and using a computer to commit a crime.

A joint investigation between Kent and Ottawa counties began in August 2024 after Dykema suggested he had taken photos of women without their consent multiple times in recent years. The extensive investigation ultimately revealed multiple victims across both counties.

Mark Dykema speaks to his defense attorney during sentencing Monday, May 19, in Ottawa County’s 20th Circuit Court.

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.