Zachary Jacob Vaughn, a 24-year-old DeWitt man, was recently charged in a string of home invasion incidents in the East Lansing area which took place between January 11 and January 17, according to the Lansing State Journal. Most of the alleged crimes occurred in the Bailey neighborhood.
Vaughn is believed to have committed nearly a dozen home invasions in the area recently. On January 17, East Lansing police were dispatched following a report of a home invasion in progress in the 900 block of Roxburgh Avenue. Upon their arrival, Vaughn allegedly fled on foot, resulting in a brief chase by officers who apprehended and then arrested him.
Police state they have linked Vaughn to at least nine home invasions after investigating, although it is believed he was involved in more. Vaughn currently faces three felony counts of home invasion following his arraignment in East Lansing District Court; news reports claim that there are five additional counts pending against him, all related to home invasion. Vaughn also faces a charge of felony receiving and concealing stolen property in Eaton County.
Michigan criminal defense attorneys know that the penalties an individual may face if convicted on charges of home invasion often depend on whether the charge was first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree, and whether the individual has a prior criminal record. If convicted on a charge of first-degree home invasion, and individual may face fines of up to $5,000 and up to 20 years in prison. A conviction for third-degree home invasion could potentially leave you facing fines of up to $2,000 and up to five years in prison.
If you have been charged with home invasion or breaking and entering, it is critical to your future and freedom that you consult with an aggressive Michigan criminal defense lawyer. It is important that you choose an attorney who is capable of having the charges against you dismissed or reduced in order to minimize the damaging consequences to your life.