Articles Posted in Drug Charges

On Thursday January 9, three individuals were arrested after authorities found evidence of methamphetamine production at a home near Three Rivers High School, according to news reports at Mlive.com.

Officers with SCAN (St. Joseph County Area Narcotics) received a tip regarding the use of methamphetamine at the residence, located in the 400 block of 4th Avenue in Three Rivers. Upon executing a search warrant, officers discovered evidence that meth had been used and produced on the property.

Three individuals who were at the home were arrested; their names have not been released pending arraignment. The suspects include a 30-year-old woman and two men who are 53 and 63 years old. All are said to be residents of Three Rivers. The three face charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, maintaining a drug house, and operating/maintaining a meth lab within a school zone.

In Michigan, methamphetamine is a Schedule 2 illicit narcotic. This essentially means it is a highly addictive and abused substance. Those convicted of a meth offense will face serious and life-changing penalties. When a drug offense occurs within close proximity of a school as in this case, penalties may be enhanced.

Possession of methamphetamine will leave those convicted facing penalties which include fines of up to $15,000 and a maximum of 10 years in prison. However, when an individual is convicted of meth possession with intent to deliver/distribute, the criminal penalties increase substantially and include fines of up to $25,000 along with up to 20 years in prison. The maximum penalties for meth manufacture are the same, however those with children may lose their parental rights, face asset forfeiture, and more.

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Recently, nine individuals were arrested for their roles in distributing heroin in the Wisconsin/Michigan areas of Green Bay, Marinette, and Menominee, according to a news article at The Daily News. Multiple agencies were involved in the investigation and arrest of those nine individuals, including the DEA, Marinette Police Department, Menominee County Michigan Sheriff’s Department, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. One man believed to be the “leader” of the drug ring, Brian L. King, is from Chicago. The Chicago and Milwaukee High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area programs also assisted in the investigation.

Charging documents allege that King was responsible for distributing the heroin, while the other eight involved conspired to distribute the drug. In all, more than 500 grams of heroin was distributed in the areas of Green Bay and Marinette, Wisconsin and Menominee, Michigan. U.S. Attorney James L. Santelle of the Eastern District of Wisconsin said those eight people accused of conspiring to purchase, distribute, fund, transport, and sell large amounts of heroin in Menominee and the northeast Wisconsin area.

Each defendant faces serious penalties if convicted of the heroin charges, including fines of up to $5 million and 5 to 40 years in prison. The defendants range in age from 23 to 55, and have been charged at the federal level for trafficking the heroin across state borders.

Michigan drug crime attorneys understand the serious consequences of being charged at the federal level. Criminal penalties are typically more severe for those convicted. While an individual may possess heroin and be charged at the state level, selling or distributing illegal drugs or narcotics across multiple states is considered far more serious and results in extremely harsh punishment. In Michigan, an individual convicted of heroin possession with intent to deliver/distribute would face penalties which include fines of up to $500,000 and up to 30 years in prison if charged at the state level for an offense involving 500 grams.

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Three Michigan men were arrested on New Year’s eve in Huntington, W. Virginia following what is being called a “major” heroin bust.

On Tuesday December 31, Huntington police were alerted by several people regarding possible drug activity at an apartment complex. Police then executed a search warrant and upon investigating the apartment found scales, packaging materials, nearly $12,000 in cash, and heroin valued at approximately $80,000, according to a news report at News Channel 3.

The police department’s Special Emphasis Unit had been conducting an extensive drug investigation, and were assisted by West Virginia State Police. Suspicious activity around the apartment complex had been noticed by other residents, as well as city workers and shift patrol officers.

Those arrested inside the apartment include Denzell LaMar Bunkley of Detroit, LaMarr Shawn Harris of Brownstown, and Steven Edward Lewis of Detroit. All three of the Michigan men were charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin. Authorities were also on the lookout for a fourth man involved in the case, Brandon Keaton of Huntington.

In the state of Michigan, heroin possession with intent to deliver or distribute is a very serious charge. Classified as a Schedule 1 illegal narcotic, individuals who are convicted of this criminal offense face extremely harsh punishment. Schedule 1 drugs are those that serve no medical purpose and are considered highly addictive. The penalties for possessing heroin are serious enough, and include four or more years in jail along with fines of $25,000 or more. However, when an individual is convicted of heroin possession with intent to deliver, he or she will face substantial prison time and fines depending on the amount of heroin involved. When more than 1 kg is involved, penalties include up to life in prison and fines of as much as $1 million dollars.

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In early December, two Michigan women were pulled over by troopers in Ohio at approximately 9 p.m. for marked lane violations, according to a news report at an NBC affiliate. The two women, 26-year-old Khadeja Avery and 24-year-old Ashely Johnson, were driving a 2013 Kia Sorento when they were pulled over near Lucasville in the southbound lanes of U.S. 23.

Troopers searched the vehicle after noticing a strong odor of marijuana and other criminal indicators, according to the news report. They located a duffle bag containing numerous drugs, including 270 Oxymorphone pills, half a kilo of heroin, and 4,500 Oxycodone pills.

Both women are from Hamtramck, Michigan. They were charged with possession of heroin, possession of a Schedule II substance, and drug trafficking.

While it is not legal for officers to search a vehicle in many cases, a search may be justified when law enforcement has strong indicators such as the smell of marijuana. Police must have reasonable belief that a crime is being committed, as all individuals do have a measure of protection regarding privacy in their automobiles under the U.S. Constitution. In this case, the state trooper maintains that he has just cause to search the vehicle the women were in because of the odor of burning marijuana.

It is important to note that police often ask a motorist to give permission to search a vehicle, particularly when no reasonable suspicion exists. You are not required to consent to a search of your vehicle, and in fact are advised not to unless law enforcement says that there is just cause to search your vehicle.

Drug trafficking and heroin possession are very serious drug offenses; those convicted in Michigan will face extremely harsh criminal penalties, which may include jail/prison time and substantial fines. Depending on the amount and type of illegal drug or narcotic involved, individuals may face up to life in prison, and millions of dollars in fines.

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On December 19, 37-year-old Tony Andrew Boyd pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin in Flint U.S. District Court. Authorities allege that Boyd was selling heroin out of his home in Burton; he now faces more than two years in federal prison, according to news reports at Mlive.com.

Boyd had a warrant for an incident which occurred in May, when police found he had improper plates on a vehicle. They were conducting surveillance on his home in October when they conducted a traffic stop and arrested Boyd on the outstanding warrant. Upon searching his Lippincott Boulevard home, police discovered drugs and guns.

Court records indicate that officers found a substantial amount of cash and a medical marijuana card upon searching Boyd. The Flint Area Narcotics Group was called in, who then executed a search warrant at the defendant’s home. While searching the home, agents discovered more than an ounce of heroin and numerous guns which included a 12-gauge shotgun, .45 caliber MAC-10 semi-automatic handgun, a rifle, and a 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun. A warrant was executed by police at a Flint motel, where authorities found more cash and an additional handgun.

Reports indicate that Boyd has been convicted on two previous occasions on drug and gun charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 17.

Perhaps due to the fact that Boyd pleaded guilty to the heroin charges, he received a less harsh sentence than he would have had he pleaded not guilty and gone to trial. The penalties for possession of heroin with intent to deliver in Michigan are extremely harsh. Even when an individual is charged with possession with intent involving less than 50 grams, criminal penalties include up to 20 years in prison and fines of as much as $25,000.

Penalties may be enhanced in some situations due to other factors. These include whether a criminal offense was committed close to a school, park, home, or church, the defendant’s criminal history, and more.

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On October 18 of this year, 28-year-old Glinda Marie Reelman of Norton Shores pleaded no contest to charges of operating or maintaining a meth lab and meth delivery/manufacture. On December 16, Reelman was sentenced to between 2 1/2 and 20 years n prison by Muskegon County 14th Circuit Chief Judge William C. Marietti, according to news reports at Mlive.com.

Reelman had two children who lived in the home where she was allegedly running a meth lab. A tip to Child Protective Services led to the lab being busted in July. Reelman’s children were removed from the home once the methamphetamine operation was discovered, according to the Norton Shores Police Department. Police officials said that the meth operation, which was located in the 3100 block of Sheffield Street, was Muskegon County’s largest lab to date.

Child Protective Services requested that police go to Reelman’s home in July to check on the children. Upon searching the home, police discovered components used in making meth in trash cans located outside the residence. WEMET (West Michigan Enforcement Team) was called in to assist with the search. Authorities found 18 inactive one pot meth labs, although they say they did not find an active lab. Some of the components discovered include pseudoephedrine blister packs, lithium battery casings, used coffee filters, and hydrogen chloride gas generators.

Police also confiscated marijuana, two to three grams of meth, and what they called a “considerable” amount of meth oil.

In Michigan, criminal penalties for drug offenses such as manufacturing or distributing methamphetamines are extremely harsh. Depending on the type and amount of illegal substance or narcotic drug involved, penalties may range from probation to life in prison along with significant fines. As lawmakers and law enforcement continue the ‘war on drugs,’ many individuals find themselves locked behind bars, their lives and reputations ruined.

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On Thursday December 19, officers with the Van Buren County’s narcotics unit obtained a search warrant for a residence located in the 65000 block of County Road 372. Upon searching the home, investigators discovered an active meth lab, prescription drugs, and other drug-related items according to a news article at Mlive.com.

Two individuals were at the residence at the time, including a 26-year-old woman and 27-year-old man; the two had not been arrested on drug related charges at the time of news reports, but were expected to be charged by authorities at a later date. The women, however, was arrested on an outstanding warrant according to a news release issued by the Sheriff’s Office.

In the course of searching the home, officers found an active methamphetamine lab, and small amounts of both meth and marijuana. Components used to manufacture meth were also found, along with a substantial number of prescription pills which were not prescribed to either the man or woman.

Authorities stated that a report regarding the search and investigators’ findings will be sent to the Van Buren County prosecutor’s office for review to determine if charges will be filed.

Classified as a Schedule 2 substance in the state of Michigan, methamphetamine is considered a highly dangerous drug because of its addictive properties and the high risk of abuse or dependence. Because of this, the criminal penalties are severe for individuals charged with meth possession or maintaining a methamphetamine lab.

If convicted of maintaining a meth lab, penalties include substantial fines and up to 20 years in prison. In addition, those convicted will have a criminal record and their driver’s licenses will be suspended. Individuals who have children face even further potential damage to their lives, as CPS (Child Protective Services) may investigate, and parenting rights may be revoked should it be determined methamphetamine was being manufactured on the property where children live. There are many factors which may impact the punishment someone faces when found guilty of manufacturing meth.

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On Monday December 16, charges against Earl Carruthers, a Ferndale medical marijuana patient, were dropped in Oakland County Circuit Court. Carruthers and five other individuals had been charged with marijuana possession and delivery, according to a news article at Sourcenewspapers.com.

In January of 2012, an Oakland County narcotics law enforcement team raided the Green and Greener Grow Collective dispensary in Southfield. Carruthers and the other defendants which included his brother Ryan, had been accused of being involved in delivering marijuana, conspiracy to deliver marijuana, money laundering, and possession with intent to deliver.

Michael Komorn, Carruthers’ defense attorney, stated that the key to the defense for Carruthers was several patients who testified regarding the process at the dispensary. The process of patients obtaining marijuana at the dispensary involved patients signing an agreement stating they promised to comply with the Medical Marijuana Act, and provide valid documents certifying they were patients. According to Komorn, an undercover police officer visited the dispensary claiming to be a patient. The officer allegedly used fake documents (driver’s license, physician’s certification, and documents indicating Michigan had received an application for a medical marijuana card). Ultimately, entrapment became the focus of the defense; Komorn said that “With entrapment cases, we don’t want a government’s action to create a crime.”

Carruthers said in court that the dismissal of the charges was a huge weight off his shoulders; he praised both the judge, Phyllis McMillen, and his defense lawyers.

Had Carruthers been convicted of the felony charges, all carried penalties ranging from four to five years.

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According to news reports at wwmt.com News Channel 3 and Mlive.com, a recent traffic stop led to the discovery of a marijuana grow operation. Van Buren County deputies stopped a man, who has not been named pending an arrest and charges, in the 54000 block of CR 687 in Hartford Township on Thursday, December 19. The man was stopped for vision obstruction and equipment violations.

Upon searching the 33-year-old man’s vehicle, sheriff’s deputies found 25 grams of marijuana both on the driver and inside the vehicle. Further investigation led deputies to discover even more marijuana at a residence located in Keeler Township in the 67000 block of Territorial Road. According to reports, deputies found an additional 3.5 pounds of marijuana and 10 marijuana plants. Authorities believe they discovered a marijuana grow operation.

Details of the case have been forwarded to prosecutors, who will determine whether an arrest is warranted and charges filed.

Drug offenses are prosecuted vigorously in the state of Michigan, regardless of how minor or serious the situation may seem. Individuals who are caught using marijuana may face misdemeanor charges, which can result in a $100 fine and up to 90 days in jail. While possession of marijuana is also a misdemeanor, those charged with cultivating or growing marijuana and who are not licensed as a medical marijuana caregiver or patient may be charged with a felony offense, which may result in criminal penalties including fines of as much as $20,000 and up to 15 years in prison. In fact, individuals who are found to possess a large number of marijuana plants may be fined up to $10 million dollars.

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On December 16, 45-year-old Teresa Lynn Crang of Flint was sentenced on drug charges and allegedly stealing money from her elderly mother in order to support her crack cocaine habit.

Crang was arrested in May of 2012 and pleaded no contest to possession of less than 25 grams of a controlled substance, according to a news article at Mlive.com. Genesee Circuit Judge Archie Hayman ordered the defendant to serve two years probation and nine months in jail on the charge.

The defendant also pleaded no contest in connection with stealing money from her mother, money which the 64-year-old woman received after Crang’s father passed away. News articles indicate that Crang’s mother, a resident of Clio, received a $180,000 life insurance payout. Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell alleged that Crang convinced her mother to open a checking/savings account at a local credit union using $50,000 of the insurance payout. Without her mother’s knowledge, Crang requested an ATM card which she intercepted and used to withdraw more than $40,000 over a two-month time period in the fall of 2012.

Crang was charged with obtaining a financial transaction device without consent. She pleaded no contest to these charges as well.

Since the May 2012 arrest, Crang has been arrested twice while on bond, once in July after being stopped and found with marijuana, and once in September after being pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. In addition to jail time, probation, and restitution, Crang was ordered to undergo drug treatment and psychological counseling.

Possession of less than 25 grams of cocaine is a felony offense with stiff criminal penalties which include fines of up to $25,000 and up to four years in jail. Had Crang not pleaded no contest and went forward to trial, her sentence may have been harsher had she been convicted. Michigan prosecutes drug offenders vigorously in an effort to cut down not only the amount of drug activity that goes on in the state, but the associated violence as well.

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